FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News) – The father of the so-called “affluenza teen” went on trial on Monday in Tarrant County. Prosecutors accuse Fred Couch of pretending to be a police officer in North Richland Hills in 2014.
Couch, whose son Ethan killed four people in a drunk driving crash in Tarrant County in 2013, allegedly showed officers what appeared to be a fake badge and identification card when they responded to a domestic disturbance call.
According to Fort Worth Star Telegram, Couch is facing up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.
The Couch family gained national attention when after a juvenile judge sentenced Ethan to 10 years of probation for causing the deadly crash.
During the trial, a local psychologist infamously said Ethan suffered from “affluenza”, meaning his wealthy upbringing left him unable to tell the difference between right and wrong.
Last December, a video surfaced showing what appeared to be Ethan at a beer-pong party. He then skipped his next probation appointment and to went to Mexico with his mother, Tonya Couch.
Tonya Couch is facing felony counts of money laundering and hindering the apprehension of a felon due to their stint across the border. She’s been free on bond since January.
