Eddie Jameson, 27, has been charged with false impersonation and five counts of identity theft.
Jameson has been accused of pretending to be a St. Louis Health Department inspector, traveling to businesses and conducting COVID-19 tests on employees.
Authorities claim that Jameson went to a Quiktrip and told workers he would be performing the test on them. He said the reason was so that it could help the government decide if restrictions should stay in place or be lifted.
Five employees then submitted a form with their personal identifiable information listed. Jameson then swabbed their noses.
Police say that Jameson attempted to try the same thing at another location but was unsuccessful.
Two days later, the suspect returned to the Quiktrip, telling workers that their test results would be available the next day. Officers then arrived at the store and apprehended him.
Jameson disclosed to detectives that he was working for an organization called Community Wellness America. The company provides COVID-19 testing; however, James was supposed to be giving self-administered tests, his supervisor stated.
Jameson eventually confessed to authorities that he had never been trained to swab noses. Additionally, he admitted that he had planned to receive $20 for every test turned in. He said he was going to use that money to pay his rent.
