Man arrested for falsely claiming to be law enforcement and kicking door open

Staff report

Updated on August 17 with pre-trial detention information.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Darius Lafabium Rivers Jr., 38, was arrested yesterday after allegedly knocking on a neighbor’s door, claiming he was law enforcement and needed to check out a water leak, and kicking the door open.

At about 5:57 p.m. on August 9, Rivers allegedly left his apartment at The Crossings at Santa Fe (3205 NW 83rd Street) and walked upstairs, where he knocked on a door and said he was “law enforcement” and they had to let him in to inspect a water leak.

The female victim and a male friend answered the door, told Rivers he could not enter the apartment, and tried to close the door, but Rivers allegedly tried to push the door open and then kicked the door twice, with his foot crossing the threshold of the apartment. On the second kick, the door flew open, hitting the victim’s hand when the doorknob hit the wall.

Rivers reportedly went back to his own apartment, and Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies made contact with him there; Rivers allegedly identified himself as a law enforcement officer.

Post Miranda, Rivers reportedly said he was a law enforcement officer for “Sam.” When asked to clarify what he meant, he reportedly said, “Uncle Sam.”

A deputy reported that Rivers was arrested for impersonating a law enforcement officer in 2025 at the University of Central Florida.

Rivers has been charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling, impersonating a law enforcement officer, battery causing bodily harm, and misdemeanor property damage. He has an unspecified criminal history in Hawaii in 2025 and in other Florida counties between 2006 and 2025. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s Office to hold him without bail until trial. On August 17, Judge Robert Groeb granted the motion and ordered him held without bail until trial.

Judge Miller-Jones also ordered a mental health evaluation.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.