Grant County, Indiana Man Arrested for Impersonating State Trooper

Caused a disturbance at the Pizza Hut on Clifty

On Tuesday, April 9, a Grant County man turned himself at the Jefferson County Jail in Madison, Indiana after a warrant was issued for his arrest on charges of impersonating an Indiana State Trooper.

The investigation by Trooper Nate Adams began in February of this year when a man, later identified as James L. Keirstead, age 44, Marion, Indiana, caused a disturbance at the Pizza Hut Restaurant located at 510 Clifty Drive, Madison, Indiana.  During the disturbance, Keirstead told employees of the restaurant that he was a state trooper. 

Multiple employees had additional contact with Keirstead in February and March when he complained about service he received at the business.  During each of those conversations, Keirstead again identified himself as a state trooper and threatened to charge employees with various offenses.  Employees became suspicious of Keirstead and reported him to the ISP-Versailles Post, prompting the investigation. 

With the assistance of Trooper Jeremy Perez (Peru Post), Trooper Adams located Keirstead at a residence in Marion, Indiana where he was interviewed. 

At the conclusion of the investigation, a warrant was issued for James Keirstead on a charge of Impersonation of a Public Servant.  Keirstead returned to Jefferson County and turned himself in on the charge.  He was being held at the Jefferson County Jail pending his initial appearance in court.