ASPEN, Colo. -- A Basalt man faces a felony charge for impersonating a peace officer after several encounters with the Aspen police.

Paul Molak, 39, allegedly claimed to be an agent for the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, according to a report in Wednesday's Aspen Daily News.

Police said Molak's first attempt as a DEA agent came in late December following an argument with the owner of Royal Street Fine Art in Aspen. The gallery owner said Molak had been taking photographs in the gallery without permission and refused to leave when asked. When the owner threatened to call police, the owner said Molak responded by claiming he was a DEA agent.

The owner told police that Molak said, "Are you threatening me? I am a DEA agent! I work for the Aspen Police Department!"

Police talked to Molak about the incident several days later, but he denied making any threats to the gallery owner.

When asked about his DEA connections, Molak responded, "You don’t know?" He allegedly told police he would have the DEA contact them, according to the Daily News.

The Aspen Police Department contacted the DEA office in Denver and was told they did not know Molak.

Police arrested Molak for investigation of impersonating a peace officer and for investigation of misdemeanor harassment, relating to his calls and contacts at the gallery.

For more on this story see www.aspendailynews.com.