A DeRidder man was convicted on Thursday of falsely identifying himself as a police officer in order to enter and burglarize the home of a senior citizen in January.

A 12-person jury returned a guilty verdict on all 10 charges filed against Reuben Shane Williamson that included armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, five counts of theft of a firearm, aggravated burglary, unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling, and false impersonation of a peace officer.

Jurors deliberated for less than an hour.

The case was prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Richard Morton, with assistance from ADA Adam Bone. District Attorney James Lestage told the American Press he was pleased with the jury’s findings.

“This was a case that victimized one of our senior citizens. We strive to serve all of our citizens and certainly want to protect those most vulnerable to crimes,” Lestage said.

Lestage said his office will be asking the court to impose the maximum sentence on each count in an effort to deter such types of violence from occurring again within the community.

“I thank the jurors for their commitment. I also want to acknowledge the professional effort put forth by the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office to investigate this matter and to help secure a just result,” Lestage said.

Williamson faces a maximum possible sentence of 99 years without parole for the armed robbery charge, and a maximum of 30 years for the aggravated burglary charge. The remaining charges carry maximum sentences ranging from two years to 20 years.

A sentencing date has not been set yet.

Williamson was arrested on Jan. 29, one day after BPSO received a report that a man had burglarized a home on Dogwood Trail while the senior citizen who lived there was present.

According to investigators, at approximately 3 a.m. the morning of Jan. 28, Williamson knocked on the homeowner’s door and falsely identified himself as a member of law enforcement. Once he was allowed to enter the home, Williamson forced the victim to sit on a bed while he burglarized the home and damaged property.

The victim was able to provide a detailed description of the suspect, and within hours Williamson was identified on surveillance footage at a nearby business, leading to his arrest.