Man faces court charged with impersonating federal police officer
A man accused of trying to overthrow the government has faced court charged with impersonating a police officer.
A man has faced court charged with impersonating a federal police officer as part of an alleged operation to bring down the government.
It is alleged Marcus Jensen, 49, claimed to be an Australian Federal Police official during an unsuccessful bid to obtain stamps and identification badges bearing the AFP logo.
The Tuart Hill man faced Perth Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with impersonating Commonwealth public officials, but was not represented by a lawyer.
He is yet to enter a plea and is due back in court on September 24.
If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison.
Six search warrants were executed across Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia earlier this month as part of a Joint Counter Terrorism Team investigation into a group allegedly impersonating government officials and holding anti-government sentiment.
In a statement at the time, police said they had not found an impending threat to community safety or evidence the group had the ability to carry out acts discussed.
Police allege group members are responsible for a video on social media that falsely claims to be a recording of AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw detailing anti-government sentiment and encouraging others to join.
The man speaking in the recording was identified and found to be part of a group who regularly met online and discussed taking over the federal government, police said.
That allegedly included the creation of “arrest warrants” for some high profile politicians and public servants.
Police also said they learnt about a shipment of three boxes of replica AFP badges consigned to a Cairns house and found them dumped in a creek.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Scott Lee said it was concerning a group of people had allegedly arranged the manufacture of AFP replica badges and a fake video.
“We have found no evidence this group has the ability – or has actually attempted – to carry out specific violent acts in support of statements made by members of this group,” he said.
“The general public needs to know that a video purporting to be of the AFP commissioner, calling for people to join in a plan to create a new government, is complete and utter nonsense.
“It is not from the commissioner, it is not from the AFP and has absolutely no credibility.”