Scott Brown's half-brother appears in court to face impersonation charges

NEW LONDON, Conn. (MyFoxBoston.com) - - Former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown's half-brother appeared in a Connecticut courtroom Tuesday to face state charges for criminal impersonation of a police officer.

Bruce Browne, 46, of Wolcott, Conn. is facing a slew of charges including impersonating a police officer, breach of peace, interfering with a police officer, and possession of a dangerous weapon in a motor vehicle for an Aug. 8 incident in which he impersonated a police officer in Old Lyme, Conn. and commandeered a boat.

Browne told FOX 25's Crystal Haynes he would be happy to speak with her when the case is concluded, but that could take a while as the lead state's attorney for the case announced the U.S. Attorney's Office has launched its own federal investigation.

"We're gonna' wait and see what they want to do with it. Obviously, they have a different jurisdiction and can do a whole lot of different things with this case than the state can do," Browne's Attorney Gregg Wagman said.

Browne was arrested after Conn. State Police and Old Lyme police responded to the Point O Woods Beach on reports of a man donning military garb walking on Sea View Drive with a gun. The caller told investigators the man was seen earlier in the day driving what they described as a "police-type vehicle."

Investigators later found a 2004 blue Crown Victoria with what appeared to be a disc and antennas on its trunk, as well as "hide-away" lights, parked at a home on Sea View Drive. Browne was arrested at the home after saying he was the registered owner of the car.

During an interview, investigators claim Browne admitted to walking down the road wearing a black nylon gun belt that held a loaded 9mm pistol.

Police say they found a stockpile of weapons, including three loaded 9mm handguns, a black nylon duty belt with two sets of handcuffs, and 12 fully loaded magazines with a total of 203 bullets. Browne was also reportedly in possession of a bulletproof vest bearing the word "police" across its front and back. The vest had a silver metal TSA badge attached to it.

Browne allegedly stopped three other boats that same day asking for their registrations and boat safety certifications, identifying himself as police officer and using an expired Coast Guard badge from when he was in the reserves.

"Under circumstances, considering everything that's been happening, I don't think he was ready for the news attention that being the half-brother of Mr. Brown was gonna' bring," Wagman said of his client.

Representatives from the U.S. Attorney's Office in Connecticut were unavailable due to the recent federal government shutdown.

Browne will be back in New London Superior Court to face state charges on Nov. 4.

Cox Media Group