Brian Michael Rini, who claimed to be missing boy Timmothy Pitzen, in federal custody

The Cincinnati FBI said Brian Rini, the Ohio man who claimed to be Timmothy Pitzen, an Illinois boy who went missing in 2011 at age 6, has been charged by the FBI with making false statements to a federal agent. 

He is now in federal custody with the U.S. Marshals, according to officals. 

Rini, 23, was booked into the Hamilton County jail around 11 p.m. Thursday, according to the Hamilton County Jail website.

He was on a holder for the FBI and not held on criminal charges through the county, jail officials told The Enquirer Friday morning. 

Officials said Rini appeared in federal court around 11:15 a.m. Friday and he is currently in FBI custudy. Rini could face up to 8 years in federal prison, according to U.S. Attorney Ben Glassman. 

On Wednesday, Rini told police he was Timmothy, who has been missing from Illinois for nearly eight years. DNA tests showed that the was not the boy.

Rini's name came up in a DNA database, officials said.

Newport Police Chief Tom Collins told The Enquirer that he doesn't know why Rini made up the story. Collins said his department and the FBI are both looking at pursuing charges, although it's not yet clear what charges Rini could face.

He has an adult criminal record dating back to 2013.