DOCUMENT: Celebrity, Crime

Drug Suspect Gave Cops Name Of Movie Star

Tennessean, 21, claimed to be Denzel Washington

Denzel Washington

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Denzel Washington

OCTOBER 29--A man who told cops that he was named Denzel Washington was arrested late Monday night for criminal impersonation by Tennessee cops responding to a noise complaint.

Upon arriving at a Murfreesboro apartment, a patrolman “detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the residence,” which was occupied by seven individuals. Subsequent investigation determined that several bags of pot appeared to have been thrown out a bedroom window onto a patio.

“I was able to identify all parties involved except for one who stated his name was Denzel Washington,” a cop wrote in a Murfreesboro Police Department report.

Investigators later determined that “Washington” was actually Justin Seay, a 21-year-old Memphis resident with an outstanding warrant. “I arrested Denzel (Justin Seay),” a cop noted. The actor Denzel Washington is 59, has won two Academy Awards, and is not known to hang out in Murfreesboro, a city about 35 miles south of Nashville.  

Seay, pictured above, was charged with felony narcotics possession, criminal impersonation, and violating probation. Seay, who bonded out of jail yesterday after posting $9500 bond, is scheduled for a January court hearing.

Four other men found in the home are facing felony drug raps. (2 pages)