A man in West Melbourne, Florida, is accused of posing as a lawyer after he randomly showed up to a traffic stop in progress. As per the police, he was wearing a full suit and tie, but failed to provide a bar number and identified himself with another name.
As reported by WESH, citing the West Melbourne Police Department (WMPD), the incident occurred back on April 25. At the time, WMPD officers were conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 95.
During the said traffic stop, officers allegedly found drugs inside the vehicle. Therefore, they were in the process of arresting the female driver.
However, all of a sudden, a man in a full suit and tie showed up at the scene. He identified himself as the driver’s attorney, police said.
Lawyered Up?
From the get-go, the man, later identified as 30-year-old Derek Schaufus, asked officers for probable cause that would justify the search and arrest. Bodycam footage showed the man talking with the officers.
“You’re her attorney?” a WMPD officer asked Schaufus. He answered, “I’m her representative, yes.” A shocked officer clapped back, “That’s a first.”
A 30-minute back-and-forth between Schaufus and the officers reportedly followed. As per the police, he even “attempted to negotiate a deal for the driver on scene.”
Naming Discrepancy
Eventually, the female driver was arrested and transported to jail. When asked about the man, she identified him as her attorney, saying that his name was Derek, an affidavit cited by WESH detailed.
However, when asked to identify himself, Schaufus allegedly provided a different one. As per the police, he gave the name of a real attorney who had previously represented Schaufus himself in a DUI case.
When asked about Derek Schaufus, the man allegedly told officers that it was the name of his firm’s secretary. Furthermore, when asked about his bar number, he failed to provide one.
Deception Unveiled
However, when authorities searched for the name Schaufus provided, a physical mismatch occurred. Then, officers managed to contact the attorney Schaufus allegedly portrayed himself to be. The attorney, who remains unnamed, said, “No, that’s not me,” as per the police.
Furthermore, WESH reported that the woman had been in contact with Schaufus before her arrest. The man allegedly provided legal advice and told the woman he would charge her $250 for his “services.”
Additionally, WMPD officers responded to Schaufus’ home. They were met by his father, who, when asked whether his son was a lawyer, answered, “No, but he’s known to be a street lawyer,” as per the police.
As a result of these findings, the WMPD arrested Derek Schaufus. He is charged with misrepresenting himself as qualified to practice law, obstruction by a disguised person, and resisting an officer without violence.
Allegedly, when officers served the warrant, Schaufus failed to provide his name.