Police arrest man posing as Merle Haggard's son

The Daily Inter Lake

A Charlo man arrested while impersonating Noel Haggard, son of country music star Merle Haggard, may be facing fraud charges, Ronan Police Detective Art Walgren said.

A man police identified as Mark Sams, 48, was signing autographs and having pictures taken with him for a fee Saturday outside the Valley Club lounge in Ronan, police said.

After receiving several complaints, police made contact with Sams and determined he was not Noel Haggard. He told police his name had been changed when he was a child to protect him.

An agent for the Haggard family told authorities that Sams is an impostor and not related to Merle Haggard.

Sams admitted to signing autographs and posing for pictures using Noel Haggard's name, but denied accepting money for them. He was arrested on an outstanding Montana warrant for issuing bad checks. He also has a warrant for his arrest out of Maryland. Sams is being held at the Lake County Detention Center.

The case is still under investigation and additional charges may be pending. Anyone who may have been a victim of Sams' alleged scam should call the Ronan Police Department at (406)676-0223.