Man charged with impersonating U.S. officer

James Christopher Benvie

GUTHRIE, Okla. (AP) – A man who has been a spokesman for a small group of armed civilians patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border has been charged with impersonating a U.S. officer or employee.

Federal prosecutors in New Mexico say an indictment returned Wednesday by a grand jury in that state charged 44-year-old James Christopher Benvie with two counts of false personation.

Prosecutors say Benvie, of Albany, Minnesota, made an initial appearance in court Friday in Oklahoma, after the FBI arrested him there.