Florida Man’s Unusual Tactic to Sidestep Rental Background Check Discovered

A Florida man’s attempt to sidestep a background check for a rental property backfires spectacularly, leading to his arrest for impersonating a law enforcement officer.

At a Glance

William Dennis Milstead, 64, arrested for pretending to be an undercover officer to avoid a background check.
Faces charges including falsely impersonating a police officer and making false statements to obtain property.
Submitted a fake letter claiming to be an undercover FDLE agent working “off-grid.”
Has 13 prior felony arrests and previous charges for impersonating an officer in 2002 and 2016.
Released on $11,000 bond; case under investigation by FDLE’s Orlando office.

Florida Man’s Elaborate Scheme Unravels

In a brazen attempt to circumvent a routine background check, 64-year-old William Dennis Milstead of Florida found himself in handcuffs after pretending to be an undercover police officer. The incident, which occurred recently, has shed light on the lengths some individuals will go to conceal their past and highlights the importance of thorough vetting processes in property rentals.

Milstead’s scheme began to unravel when a real estate agency reported suspicious activity to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). The agency had received an unusual request from Milstead, who was attempting to lease a property without undergoing the standard background check required for potential tenants.

Fabricated Identity and False Documentation

In his bid to avoid scrutiny, Milstead submitted a falsified letter claiming to be an undercover FDLE agent working on a covert “off-grid” operation. The letter, purportedly from an assistant captain of the FDLE’s “Off Grid Command Unit,” was riddled with grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors – a red flag that ultimately contributed to his undoing.

The fabricated letter went to great lengths to explain why Milstead should be exempt from the standard background and credit checks. It falsely stated that his employment with the FDLE began in October 2006 and that he was nearing retirement, attempting to lend credibility to his fake persona.

A History of Deception

This incident is not Milstead’s first brush with the law for impersonation. Records reveal a troubling pattern of similar behavior, with charges for impersonating an officer in both 2002 and 2016. In total, Milstead has amassed an alarming 13 prior felony arrests, painting a picture of a career criminal with a penchant for assuming false identities.

The fake letter also attempted to explain away any discrepancies in Milstead’s background, stating, “For this reason information on his background and credit files are very limited and/or sealed and doesn’t reflect his true ability to receive credit or pay his debts due to his involvement in FDLE Off Grid program.” This elaborate fabrication was designed to bypass the very checks put in place to protect property owners from individuals with questionable histories.

Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation

Following his arrest, Milstead was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail on November 13. He faces multiple charges, including falsely impersonating a police officer, making a false statement to obtain property, and using a two-way communication device to commit a felony. Despite the severity of the charges, Milstead was released on November 15 after posting an $11,000 bond.

The case has now been taken up by the FDLE’s Orlando office, which is conducting a thorough investigation into Milstead’s activities. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in the real estate industry and the ongoing challenges posed by individuals attempting to circumvent legal and procedural safeguards.