Federal judges have denied the appeal from a former Washingtonville police officer who challenged a jury's verdict that found him guilty of impersonating a U.S. Marshal.

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Logan Malik's claim that there was insufficient evidence for a conviction and that impersonating a police officer is protected speech under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment.

Following his conviction on June 8, 2023, U.S. District Court Judge Bridget Brennan sentenced Malik to thirty days in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $1,000 fine. Malik was released from prison on December 11 after serving his sentence.

Prosecutors say Malik pretended to be a Marshal on April 24, 2022, claiming he was gathering information about a hate group known as skinheads.

Malik, who was arrested after local police were called to the Holiday Inn and Sheetz gas station in Boardman, had already pleaded not guilty in Mahoning County Court to impersonating a peace officer. The local charges were dropped after prosecutors learned of the federal indictment.

Malik allegedly told a witness that U.S. Marshals had arrested five "skinheads" earlier at the mall and said the witness should "call him, not 911" if any "skinheads" were spotted in the area.

The witness said Malik wrote down a phone number alongside the words "U.S. Marshal Offc. Malik" and "Northeast Ohio Violent Crimes Task Force."

The witness told police Malik had a gun and a badge on his hip that "appeared to be fake." The witness also said Malik had police radio traffic over his cell phone.

When the witness became suspicious and requested a business card, they told police Malik could not provide one.

According to the police report, when Malik stepped out of the vehicle he was wearing a police tactical vest, a holster on his right hip, and a Washingtonville Police badge on his left hip.

Boardman Police say Malik was employed as a Washingtonville Police Officer. Police also say they located a Leetonia Police badge, where Malik was previously employed.

Malik told police that he was at the Holiday Inn asking about people that the U.S. Marshals were looking for because his dream is to become a U.S. Marshal. Malik also told officers that he never identified himself as a federal law enforcement officer but "jokingly told someone at Sheetz that he had a warrant for them, but quickly told him he was joking around."

Washingtonville Police Chief Ken Faust said Malik was hired in January 2022 but was no longer employed by the department four months later because of this incident.

Leetonia Police Chief Allen Haueter told 21 News that Malik previously worked for the village and was "encouraged to resign" due to "performance" issues. The chief did not elaborate on details.