If you know this is the highest crime area in the city, and you know that that's likely to be your law enforcement experience, and we're going to be in the area, probably not the best idea to be wearing a vest, armed, going to and from. Yeah, cuz it's going to make us think something. Up to Up to and including possible criminal impersonation of a police officer. >> I was arrested. I was not arrested. Never been arrested. >> Never been arrested. Never once. >> Never. >> So, we may have called Edmonds last night. >> The sheriff? >> What? We may have called Edmonds PD last >> last night. >> Yeah. Not on the payroll. >> He looked exactly like the real thing, showing up to active crime scenes and introducing himself to real officers. What finally stopped him was the one thing he could not fake, and that single gap brought the whole thing down. >> Uh they asked us to come outside. I thought it was for you. >> Who asked you to come outside? >> I don't know. He's on the phone with him. >> No, I I thought I was pulling over cuz I thought you guys needed help with that. >> Oh, no. No, we thought I don't I don't I'm confused right now, man. I'm It's been my It's my first day's back in a while, so I was out with COVID, and uh it was bad. Just >> [clears throat] >> Okay. You did all right? >> It's been a while since I've been back here. Oh, yeah. I had Yeah, it's 11 times having it. And it was the worst. I I had to go to the hospital, get breathing treatment. >> Yeah. >> It was bad. It hurt to talk. >> Okay. >> It was I'm good now. I promise. >> Nice. >> Uh They were >> All right, I don't know. >> Just getting back here this afternoon, as soon as I'm talking with the shift change and debriefing with him, they're like the state fire, like they made it out way worse. >> 49-year-old Michael Scullate Teats did not wait to be approached. He walked straight into the scene and started talking. The officers accepted it without a second thought. [music] That is how polished the performance was. >> Yeah, he popped out and I was like I was like damn dude. I thought you were like one of our detectives at first. >> I know some of the guys with the task force. Um but it's really with the sheriff. Yeah, I deal with more of the parole and probation than anything. Um with uh over there [clears throat] at um the conception sheriff's department. The detectives over there, I know more of those guys than anything out here. >> Okay. All right, yeah. Um All right, man. How long you been How long you been? >> Uh well, so I retired from Baltimore City after 27 years. Came out here. Um Yeah. Took about a year for me to end up going back into an agency. Uh went with Thurston at first. >> Thurston Sheriff's Department. >> Um there was a lot a lot of things going on and they wanted to put me in the jail. I was like no, I don't want to do anything. So I've been I know a lot of detectives from Edmonds. >> Yeah. >> Uh from the gang network and stuff like that. The anti-narcotics training on base every year. >> Uh so how long you been a detective with Edmonds? >> About 2 years. >> 2 years? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yeah, um and yeah, 2 years uh with the robbery I It was rob- I started with robbery and now with the gang intelligence. >> Hey, it's pretty hardcore. Um All right, man. Hey, I just want I just got to stop by and say thanks. >> Skeleto, by the way. I >> Skeleto? >> Skeleto. Mess- Yeah. >> Skeleto? Are you going to be back here tonight? >> I mean, I'm working. >> or something. >> Okay, I'm I'm I'm working all night, so Yeah. >> You'll see me. I'll be out here all night. >> All right, man. >> Fresh air, man. And uh I'll grab a card for you and give it to you, man. >> Cool. >> All right. And what's your name again? >> Officer Trask. >> Sorry, again? >> Trask. >> All right, Trask. >> Yeah. >> And you just call me Mezzy or Stiletto. >> All right, man. >> All right, man. Thank you, man. I'll see you, man. >> Out of retirement out of Baltimore after decades on the job, a transfer to Washington, a contract role in gang investigations, Stiletto had a layered answer for every question the officer asked, allowing the officer to walk away looking satisfied, but he took a mental note of Stiletto's body language throughout the entire conversation. What signs do you think the officer specifically [music] took note of? Drop your thoughts in the comments. >> Can you give me your commission card with you? >> Yeah, give me a minute. >> Dude. >> Okay, how long have you been working off duty for the Salvation Army? >> Sorry? >> How long have you been working off duty for the Salvation Army? >> Uh Uh I'm I'm here almost every other week. >> Every other week? >> Yeah. Uh and then I also work down at the uh KRM. >> Okay. And what's your full name? >> Um Mezzy Stiletto. M E Z Z Y S T A L E T T A. >> first name is Mezzy? >> M E Z Z Y. Correct. >> And Stiletto? >> S T A L E T T A. >> Okay, what's your middle initial? >> Anthony. And uh 81076. >> This time the officer's question had teeth. A commission card is not optional for any sworn officer in Washington State, and it is not something a colleague brings down to you. The stalling had started. >> Uh So, since he uh gets back, uh what's a good phone number for you? Hey, man. Yeah, the it's going to be the green bag. It It's got the uh my wallet with the credentials and everything on the side of it. And they No, in the upstairs. Upstairs. Yeah, yeah, yeah. My bad. My apologies. Thank you. But, can you search You can stay over here. He's correct. All right, I'll see you in a minute. >> Is that an unloaded firearm that you have with you, Mr. >> Mr. Skaletta? Correct. >> A loaded firearm on a man who cannot prove who he is. That is where patience ends and protocol takes over. Before we move forward, subscribe to Casepoint if you're into body cam footage where the uniform doesn't end the conversation. It starts the accountability. All set? Great. [music] Let's jump back in. >> All right, can you put your hands on the car, please? Not familiar with the retention on this holster. Keep your hands where they are. >> Can we not do this in front of every I mean, really? >> Yeah. >> And just like keep your hands >> Yeah. >> I appreciate that. >> Can I contact my attorney as soon as y'all are >> You have any other firearms on you, sir? >> No, sir. >> Okay. >> I have two of them. >> So, So, you're not under arrest right now? >> No, sir. >> Okay, you're free to go. >> Yes, sir. >> What agency did you say you were with? >> Edmonds. >> You're with Edmonds? >> Edmonds. Edmonds Police. >> 4849, go ahead when you're ready. >> It's a FN brand firearm. Serial number 386425442. >> Okay. So, tell me tell me what happened in 2015 with Baltimore PD. >> The riots? Uh uh >> I think you know exactly what I'm talking about. >> unit. Yeah. Uh That's I I worked in the uh Eastern Precinct. >> Mhm. >> The the this they were we all knew what they were doing. We we knew what was going on. Um >> Summer time. >> And we already had we we knew the feds were there. >> Mhm. >> Um but you you you keep your nose clean, you don't have to worry about uh >> Well, I'm talking about the offense where you were arrested in Baltimore City. >> Me? >> Yeah, in 2015. >> I was arrested? I was not arrested. Never been arrested. >> Never been arrested? Never once? >> Never. Never been arrested. >> So, when I search you in our police database and your name and date of birth come back with an incident in 2015 with the District of Columbia, which is obviously Washington, D.C. >> That's D.C. Yeah. >> Mhm. >> You say No. >> [snorts] >> In 2015, he was involved in like a SWAT incident where he barricaded himself inside and had like a whole like threat of like blow the place up. So, it was like a bomb threat. SWAT was involved. They came out. He was detained and arrested in the District of Columbia. That was from my links back in 2015. He's saying that he retired from Baltimore City Police after doing like 24 years and [ __ ] 4 years ago, which he's a convicted felon. He wouldn't be retiring 4 years ago. And then he's saying he um got a job out here Thurston County, was only there for a short time, and then he initially said he was working for Edmonds PD for 18 months, and then he said he has 18 months left on a 2-year contract with Edmonds. >> He has a badge that says Detective Edmonds on it. So, the officers that were working last night went the extra step and called the Edmonds Police Department. They've never heard of him. He's not on the payroll. >> Skeleta's story is starting to clash with what officers are finding in his background. And while body language is not proof of a lie, his reactions are making the gaps in his story harder to ignore. >> So, you understand why you're detained right now or not? >> I don't I don't know. >> I think I can >> I know why you did uh doing what you're doing, but I can't >> Okay. Is it okay if I explain some of it? >> Sure. >> Okay. So, first off, if you are a commissioned police officer in this state, >> Mhm. >> you'll be taken out of cuffs and I will formally apologize, okay? >> No problem. >> All right. Here's a couple problems though. I'm the one of the supervisors in the city right now. If Salvation Army is hiring uniform commissioned law enforcement, he's going to be carrying badge, gun, vest, especially not in our agency. As far as I'm concerned, >> Let me Let me just Let me finish. Let me finish. >> First of all, I did not have a weapon on while I was on duty. And I did I I was leaving I'm off duty. I was leaving. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, that that's number one. >> explain. Let him explain. Go ahead. So, if you're us, especially if you're law enforcement, you understand. We see a guy detective badge, police badge, I think there's a SWAT badge somewhere >> Yeah. >> on there as well, right? In our jurisdiction and we haven't been notified that hey, uh Salvation Army is about to arm law enforcement. And you That's not true. You might have just been going from your employment to your car, however, when we came across you, right? Your uniform's on and off when we came across you. >> That's an accurate statement. >> So, the concern is the concern is, especially because you weren't given notification, right? >> I'm not operating. I'm not doing I'm not working. >> I'm not Well, here's Here's the problem. It's Mezzy, right? >> Correct. >> It's a problem that you're leaving. Even if you're leaving, Salvation Army This is the number one crime hotspot in the entire city for us. >> I I know this. Let me tell you I'm a retired bottom of the city. Okay. 27 years. I come out here. >> Okay, I hear you. I get it. >> I'm sorry. I'm sorry. >> Well, I don't I I think we're not we're getting our wires crossed a little bit cuz what I'm trying to get you to understand is I understand that you're just leaving if if you're off duty. But if you know that this is a high crime area, right? If you know this is a high crime area in the city and you know that that's likely to do with your law enforcement experience that we're going to be in the area, probably not the best idea to be wearing a vest, armed, going to and from, >> Yeah. >> cuz it's going to make us think something up to up to and including possible criminal impersonation of a police officer. >> That's why you're the team. >> We get all that checked out. And you know what? This might be an error for their bosses and our bosses because if this is all true, right? And we weren't And and we just weren't notified. That's what could have solved this is an email saying, "Hey, just so you know, there's a guy who's law enforcement. He's being hired off duty at Salvation Army. You may see him come and go from the parking." Guess what we'd say? Sounds good. We've heard nothing. >> Okay. >> Have you heard anything about this? >> No. >> Have you heard anything about this? >> It's >> We might have called Edmonds last night. >> What? We might have called Edmonds Speedy last night. >> Yeah. >> Not on their payroll. >> Say it again. >> You're not on the payroll for Edmonds Speedy. >> One call to Edmonds PD the night before. The answer was immediate. Never been on the payroll. They do not even know who he is. Every department he named, every connection he dropped, none of it existed. >> Um so between showing up on scene with commissioned officers, saying he's a cop, having blue emergency lights, acting And then this morning, approaching me saying he's police, wearing a police vest. >> Right. >> Yeah. And then furthermore, today was carrying a firearm. It was unloaded. He's a convicted felon. He can't have a firearm. So, he's going to jail today. >> His Miranda rights were read. The record that came back was not a minor infraction. A 2015 felony conviction, four months served. A convicted felon cannot legally carry a firearm under any circumstances. The gun on his hip was not just suspicious, it was a separate crime entirely. >> How long have you been with Edmonds? >> Uh almost 18 months now. >> 18 months? >> Yeah. Uh so I was at Durston uh prior. >> Durston County Sheriff's Office? >> Yeah, Durston for Uh about a year. Uh so when I came I retired from Baltimore City, Maryland uh 4 years ago. I came out here. Um I worked at the Social Security for a while. Um They They They put me in the prison system. I I didn't like it. Uh and uh I was able to uh uh I was secure a spot over at Edmonds after getting some other cert certification. Uh and it's the 18-month uh >> So you you're you're only contracted to work 18 months? >> Yes, yeah, that's what it is. Yes. So um >> You said you've been at Edmonds for 18 months, but then you said you're only contracted to work 18 >> another 18 months left. >> Okay. >> Okay. So I uh did the whole the 2-year >> Mhm. >> Um that signed on for the 2 years. Um I got 18 months left. Uh >> So you said >> It is >> You said you signed on for >> big and loud. Just Just So what what I said is that I don't feel like this was a little bit awkward. >> Skeleta's own timeline caught up with him. He could not keep track of how long he had supposedly worked at Edmonds or had left on his contract. His story was collapsing and it appears he knows it. If you like body cam stories with consequences, smash that subscribe button and stay locked in. >> I'm I'm respectful. I get you're doing your job. >> Well, you said you were you were a retired law enforcement officer. >> I was, yes. >> Okay. So, you and I both operate on the reasonable officer standard. >> We we know. I know it. >> 99 other officers witnessing this situation, would you agree it's a little bit suspicious? Just a little bit. >> I I get it. Um and with everything that goes on out here, you know, I understand your point of view. I I'm not arguing with you. I'm not trying to be disrespectful disrespectful. >> think you're being disrespectful. >> I just um I'm just kind of irritated with it, right? I figured it could have been done a little bit differently. You're irritated? >> Yeah. >> Uh >> Talk Talk to me. >> I I wasn't operating. I wasn't Hey, listen, man. You guys saw it. I I get where you're coming from. Just do your job. Just get this squared away. >> So, where are you staying while you're in Bremerton? >> Sure. Sorry? >> Where are you staying while you're in Bremerton? >> Is >> Were you on an op or something? What What brings you to Bremerton? >> Uh for this off-duty gig. I live in Thurston and Lacey. >> Is that a far drive? >> It is. It's a lot. >> Why not work in Thurston? >> I live there. We were having issues. Uh I didn't want to work in jail anymore. >> What kind of issues? >> Dealing with the same people that we were dealing with. >> Basically. >> And some of the policies >> Yeah. >> after Derek, I love him. He's a great guy. >> Derek >> Sanders. >> Sanders. >> This [ __ ] Right? When he came became sheriff, a lot a lot of things have changed. It I'm it's different out here. It's I'm I do things differently. >> How long have you known Sheriff Sanders? >> Um Daniel, 4 years, man. 4 years? Yeah. >> Uh right before he became sheriff. >> Pulled up on Casey and turned on blue emergency lights inside the car and got out and was like, "Hey, I'm with Edmonds." >> Yeah, he's going to jail. 100% the right call. >> He claims to be with Edmonds, but they called Edmonds last night and double-checked he's not on the payroll. >> Is he So, they had this issue yesterday with this guy? >> Yeah. This is a follow-up to some [ __ ] last night where he pulled up on Casey and turned on the blue lights. >> What the >> Yeah. No, I know. Yeah. >> Is this guy going to jail at this point? >> [laughter] >> Yeah. >> What the hell? This is insane. Like the the shirt is in the plastic. His reflective vest is straight from Galls. >> Yeah, like he's got a firefighter helmet, too. >> Jesus Christ, man. I That's crazy. >> Got my wallet. >> I just want to confirm you're giving us the consent to search the vehicle. I just want to hear it from you. Yes or no? Are you giving us consent to search the vehicle? >> What y'all are going to tear my vehicle apart? >> We're going to search the vehicle. We're going to We're going to We're not going to like >> Right. This this We're done. No. >> No, okay. >> You're not going to tear my vehicle up. Uh No. >> Okay. >> Apply for a search warrant. Do what you got to do. Let's >> Remove the gear. >> Okay, sounds good. We'll solve that problem. >> Okay. >> Everything he had assembled to look the part was now going into evidence bags. The gear that got him through active police scenes, all of it. >> And I'm not trying to be a hater or you know, disrespectful. It is what it is. Um but I'm interested with why you're saying that I was arrested in Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. >> Well, cuz Cuz we we we ran your data earlier, right? Whenever whenever you came up and you contacted uh one of our officers and one of our sergeants earlier tonight. >> Earlier tonight? >> Yeah. >> I I didn't contact >> Yes, you did. >> Oh, with the fire across the street? >> Yeah. >> That was me. Okay. >> In my experience, most cops won't really approach an active scene while they're off duty, especially out of jurisdiction. So, whenever you do that, we have you have lights on in the car, you come up, you say, "Hey, I'm Edmonds Police." and that you're working an off-duty gig for Salvation Army. That raises a lot of flags, right? >> Yeah. >> So, hold on. So, >> I think it was taken out of context a little bit, but I I was coming on >> I mean, well, >> I told him there was a fire across the street. I was coming on. I wasn't armed. I was just >> one No one said you were armed, okay? But, that's this is what raises a lot of a lot of suspicion. A lot of flags get thrown whenever that happens, right? Imagine Imagine if you were working, right? As >> No, I I understand I I understand I just >> And then I roll up and I'm like, "Hey, I'm off duty." as I'm wearing like my police badge. >> That's not really how that went, but um >> Okay. >> I I told him I was doing security over here. >> Okay. >> Uh we're the ones that told him that there was a fire over here. Uh and and that was it. Uh like I I didn't want I didn't do anything else. >> Okay. >> But, he was there and that's all we needed. Uh Uh but that's this is your area, so you know what I mean? It's nothing I'm going to do out here or in Forest or do anything. That's not never done that, ever. >> Okay. Well, it's uh it's all on camera, multiple cameras, okay? The entire in the answer >> we got cameras here. >> Okay. Oh, I know. We have body cameras, too, so >> But, I never uh >> So, the >> in Forest or uh did anything that >> But you see why that would raise a lot of flags, right? And then when you provided your names to them, obviously we checked it. We called Edmonds, right? Edmonds says you're not on their payroll. Never have been. They don't know you. And then we run a what's called a triple You know what a triple I is? >> Yes. >> All right. So we run >> NCIC and they are up. >> Well, it's a little more than just NCIC. >> a database. Yeah. Yeah. >> Do you want to last it before we dump this? >> I I would. Thank you. >> Are you Are you you still talking? >> I at this time I'm going to invoke my rights and remain silent. >> Okay. All right. Fair enough. We all know better. Fair enough. Call that wily law enforcement experience, huh? >> These [clears throat] are even searched, right? >> Yep, these are all his stuff. >> It's a lot of cheats. Is that your phone last time? >> It's a lot of Yeah. >> Walk this way, please. >> I'm I'm speechless. >> The mic drop. It was his own curiosity that landed him in cuffs. And just when it seemed like the officers couldn't uncover anything else from his past, his wife added the cherry on top. >> Um, I'm so confused right now. Um >> What part is confusing? >> This whole thing. I mean, I thought that he went to work last night. >> Does he work at Salvation Army? >> What? >> Does he work at the Salvation Army in Bremerton? >> No, he's he's supposed to be a Bremerton Kitsap. >> Doing what? >> Well, I know he's a reserve police officer. That's what he told me. That's the work he's he's doing. >> He's a reserve police officer for who? >> I I'm so I You know what? I don't know what >> Well, who who did he So, he called Edmonds. Edmonds says that he does not work for Edmonds. Has not They have no idea who he is. >> Actually, so >> So, then you're saying that he is a reserve officer in the Bremerton Kitsap area. So, who is he Who does he say he's a reserve officer for? >> I I know he's he's contracted. That's what he's told me and >> Who is he contracted through? >> I I don't know, sir. I'm just I'm so confused right now. I'm just like I said, I just woke up. I thought you were him calling. >> Well, we're calling from his phone. >> Great. >> Yeah. >> Oh, no. I know he was with Intercom and he also was with Issaquah. >> He was working for Issaquah PD? >> Oh, as a reserve, but I don't I don't know any paperwork and I I really don't know, sir. I don't know where his his contracts are coming from. >> Okay. >> Little did she know, but she just helped seal her husband's fate with that one phone call. >> Oh, just Okay, you're charges today uh-huh are criminal impersonation in the second degree, which is a misdemeanor, uh-huh and unlawful possession of a firearm in the second degree, which is a felony. >> Oh, wow. Okay. >> Okay. >> And are these serious charges or >> Two felonies. >> Two felonies? >> Mhm. >> Uh what what are the two felonies for? >> Criminal impersonation in the first degree and unlawful possession of firearm in the second. >> Uh criminal impersonation uh the first degree? >> Yes, correct. >> That's a felony? >> Yes. >> I thought it was a misdemeanor. >> Criminal impersonation in the second is a misdemeanor. >> So what what how did it turn to first degree? >> Uh it turns out you were taking significant law enforcement action. >> Where? >> At the 7-Eleven. >> 7-Eleven. >> I I was taking action? >> Yes. There's actually two things that I know of so far. One is that you were kicking people off the property at the 7-Eleven and taking trespassing enforcement. Two, you're interviewing one of the local transients about a suspicious death at Salvation Army. >> What? And all right, okay. Where does that information come from? >> From all the people we just interviewed. >> They Did you talk to the store clerk? >> We're going to. >> Yeah, thank you. Because I I I I told him I You need to call nine He called local PD and they know who I Yeah. There's nothing that I could do. Would you be able to talk to them before you charge me? >> Officer Pippin is talking to them. >> Okay, thank you. All right, awesome. Do you know if he was able to get a hold of my wife? >> Yeah, he got a hold of your wife. >> And do you know what she said? >> Yeah, she said that you told her that you were coming to work as a reserve officer for Bremerton PD today. >> And there it is, the expression of a man who just learned he'd been busted and his wife was the one to dot the i's and cross the t's on the contract. But wait, there's more. >> What he does walk around and see how many people he can talk to that will say yes, this guy said that was a cop. >> Morning. >> Hey, uh at any point uh over the night and everything, did you have conversation with that security guard? Did he tell you at any point that he was a cop? >> I know. I guess he was a police officer. By the police badges and [ __ ] he looked like a cop. >> [laughter] >> Got you. >> I'm assuming he was not. >> That is correct. >> Okay. >> We just arrested a guy for impersonation of a police officer. So, he's dressed like us, he's got a badge like us. >> Oh, this police guy? >> Yeah. >> He said >> He had a gun on his hip. >> said all night he have walking. >> All night here? >> Yeah, all night he's walking in around here and in this side and badge and weapon. This guy three four time he's come inside >> Inside the store? >> Yeah, he used to around purchase some drink. >> Yeah. >> And I call for one of some people here 24 hour 911. Your colleague is come. >> Okay. >> He's together come. And he say here is lot of people is arresting so I come here and extra police and this guy he's talk. >> He he told you he was a police officer? >> Yeah, he's uniform. >> But did he did he did he actually tell you that he was a police officer? >> I don't know but two three customer not he's talking customer say. >> He was talking to customers telling them? >> say inside. >> And he told them that he was a police officer? >> Yeah. >> When you were talking to that guy >> Right. >> this morning. >> Mhm. >> So, did he like when he came up to your window shining the light in and stuff like that? >> Right. >> Uh did you get a feeling >> that it was one of you guys. >> Yeah, so that it was one of us. >> He scared the [ __ ] out of me. >> Were you getting a feeling like you were being >> harassed. >> like questioned during like a like a police investigation? Like detaining you at any point? >> there. He would kind of lean in there, you know. He made a suggestion, remember I told you. He said, "Well, you know, if I ever need something or any information, I know I could count on you. And I'm looking at this guy like I can't believe what you're saying. >> Yeah, and then he said uh Then he started telling me about how he's going to have control of the narcotics department. He's going to be running some of you guys' units. He's been promoted and he's moving up here this way. You know, where is he coming? What angle is he coming at me? You know, and I'm really concerned cuz I thought he was a police. He had police, but it was so I found it odd. Like the letters are only about 4 in tall. >> Mhm. Yeah, they weren't that >> And the another thing that I found kind of odd is his uniform didn't uh match. He had gray pants on and with uh a blue shirt or black shirt and I think he had like a some type of solid gray or black undershirt. I just didn't feel comfortable at all last night. I didn't sleep cuz he told me to leave. >> He was not just wearing a costume at a crime scene. He was running operations, trespass enforcement, witness interviews, and informant cultivation. The people he approached trusted him because everything about him looked the part, but that trust was built entirely on a lie. In the end, Michael Scaletta Teets was charged in Kitsap County with first-degree criminal impersonation and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior felony. At his first court appearance, he pleaded not guilty and the judge set his bail at $50,000. His trial was initially scheduled for November 2025, but as of this report, public records do not verify a final case outcome. If you have a credible update on this case, let us know in the comments and we'll work it into a future video. Until then, if this is the kind of body cam content you want to keep watching, subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss a new case. And tell us in the comments at what moment did you know the whole thing was about to fall apart for him? Thanks for watching. See you in the next one.