by Alan McArthur
Landmark reporter

A man convicted in the death of a Platte County girl back in 1977 was recently arrested near Branson for impersonating a law officer.

Mark E. Sager, 48, was arrested in Stone County last week for allegedly impersonating a law enforcement officer. According to police reports, Sager called himself “Maverick” and drove a 2001 Ford Crown Victoria with lights, sirens, and a two-way radio.

He would assist with traffic stops or other police calls and carried a pistol and handcuffs. Sager told police he was a retired Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) agent.

Sheriff's deputies became suspicious of Sager and conducted a background check on him, finding he was actually a convicted criminal.

When Sager was 17, he was charged with capital murder in the stabbing of Julie Wittmeyer, who was 14. Wittmeyer had disappeared in September of 1977. Her body was found two days later in woods four miles from her home.

Both Sager and Wittmeyer were students at Platte County R-3 High School.

Originally charged with murder in the case, Sager was eventually convicted by a jury of manslaughter and he spent several years in prison before being paroled in 1985.

Last week, Sager was charged by prosecutors in Stone County with a misdemeanor of false impersonation of a law enforcement officer. He was released after posting a $5,000 bond. Sager had been living at Indian Point Marina on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Mo., though reports indicate he has moved from there after his arrest.

Court records in Stone County list a Kearney address for Sager.