Man sentenced to 5 years in prison for impersonating Ohio trooper

MEDINA, Ohio (AP) — A judge has sentenced an Ohio man to five years in prison for impersonating a state trooper during a robbery.

Northeast Ohio Media Group reports a Medina County judge handed down Jesse Hodges’ sentence Monday. Hodges, 32, was convicted of robbery, kidnapping and impersonating a police officer.

Hodges and 25-year-old Christina Paine went to a car wash in May 2014 to scare someone who harassed Paine. Prosecutors say Hodges dressed as a state trooper, but confronted the wrong man.

Authorities say he brandished a pellet gun and searched the man’s car. After finding a gun, prosecutors say he forced the man to pay a $50 fine.

His attorney says Hodges plans to appeal the verdict.

Paine pleaded guilty in the case and was sentenced to three years in prison.