Somerville Man Charged with Impersonating a Federal Air Marshal

BOSTON—A Somerville man was charged today in federal court with impersonating a federal air marshal.

EDWARD VELOZA, a/k/a EDGAR VELOZA, 37, of Somerville, was charged in an indictment with falsely impersonating a federal officer. The indictment alleges that on March 16, 2011, VELOZA falsely pretended to be, and impersonated, a federal air marshal.

If convicted on these charges, VELOZA faces up to three years’ imprisonment, to be followed by one year of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz; Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division; and Colonel Marian McGovern, Superintendent of the Massachusetts State Police, made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric P. Christofferson of Ortiz’s Major Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.