Music star impostor jailed for theft

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) – A 25-year-old Howe man was preliminarily charged with two counts of theft Thursday after police said he ordered $12,000 worth of merchandise from Kosciusko County businesses while posing to be country star, Brantley Gilbert .

According to the Warsaw Police Department, during the course of the three-month scheme, Thomas Michael Barth allegedly emailed and texted Robert’s Signs in Warsaw posing as Gilbert himself and ordered $8,000 worth of personalized products and clothing.

Police said Barth also used the same scheme to order a computer, along with musical and electronic equipment from musician Kevin Kyle of Winona Lake, which had an estimated value of $4,000.

During an interview with detectives on April 12, police said Barth admitted he posed as a photographer and an agent associated with the band and that he sent the emails and texts that appeared to be from Gilbert.

Police said Brantley Gilbert and his managers have reported that they have had numerous complaints about Barth in the past few months and ordered him to stop misrepresenting himself.

Barth turned himself into the LaGrange County Jail on Thursday, April 26 and was then taken to the Kosciusko County Jail and booked for the two counts of theft, Class D felonies.