A Hudson Valley man who is accused of driving drunk is facing harsher charges for allegedly claiming he was an undercover police officer.

On Saturday around 3:35 a.m., New Paltz Police conducted a vehicle and traffic stop on State Route 299 in the Town of New Paltz. The driver, 32-year-old Matthew Valdez of Ellenville, allegedly showed signs of impairment and was asked to perform a series of field sobriety tests.

Based on the officer’s observations and Valdez’s performance on the field sobriety tests, he was placed into custody for driving while intoxicated, police say.

During the investigation and processing Valdez is accused of making repeated claims that he was an undercover police officer for the New York City Police Department.

After an investigation and admissions by Valdez it was determined that he was not a police officer, officials say.

Valdez was charged with criminal impersonation, a felony, two counts of DWI, misdemeanors, as wells a number of undisclosed vehicle and traffic infractions.

Valdez was processed at the New Paltz Court and remanded to the Ulster County Jail on $2,500 cash bail or $5,000 property bond. He is to appear in the Town of New Paltz Court on Feb. 15.

More From WPDH-WPDA