Man who impersonated cop, body guard sent to jail

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1998 | 9:38 a.m.

Now, Robert Mannarino, 38, is headed to jail.

Mannarino was sentenced to 60 days in jail this week after he pleaded guilty in October to impersonating a police officer.

Marrarino was arrested in July after he claimed to be a Carson City cop in a confrontation with another motorist.

The dispute started after Mannarino reportedly cut in front of the other driver and forced him to slam on his brakes.

Police say he grabbed the other driver in a head lock and tried to gouge his eye out.

Mannarino, who owns a car detailing and security business, told police he didn't like the way the other motorist was driving. But he apologized before sentencing Monday in Carson City District Court.

"I'm sorry I got in a fight with the gentleman," he told Judge Michael Griffin.

Griffin pointed to Mannarino's history of aggressive behavior in sentencing him. He already was sentenced to jail for battery in the dispute with the motorist.

Another woman complained in June that he had cut her off in traffic and identified himself as an off-duty police officer.

Police reports show he has identified himself as a body guard for the late-night talk show host Leno, an official for the Drug Enforcement Agency and the Carson City Sheriff's Department.

He also faces a charge in California of being an ex-felon in possession of a firearm and making false statements during the purchase of a firearm.

The charge of impersonating an officer will run during the same 60 days he's in jail for the batter charge.