Mock military photoshoot merits visit from Asotin County Sheriff | Crime

A Clarkston-based company is in hot water with local law enforcement after a trial test of their military-esque watercraft was conducted without their knowledge.

The company, Veterans’ Group, LLC crew was filming promotional tests of new vessels complete with military fatigues and a fiberglass mock-up of a .50-calibur gun. The trials, featuring Vietnam-era patrol boats, were on the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater River when they were visited by Asotin County Sheriff Ken Bancroft. He says he technically could have arrested them for impersonating an officer.

“I had a chat with them that they need to let law enforcement know what’s going on,” Sheriff Bancroft said. “We don’t know if they’re making a movie or they’re a wannabe militia. We can’t tell.”

On scene of the promotional shoot, the company was also testing a new vessel contracted for the U.S. Border Patrol that had all the insignia stamped on the sides. Sheriff Bancroft told them they needed to cover it up if they were going to continue on the river.

The crew is continuing their filming throughout the day, but are going further downstream. Sheriff Bancroft added that they were acting responsibly but cited miscommunication as the issue.