Man arrested for impersonating ICE agent, threatening to deport 2 men
The Martin County, Florida, Sheriff’s Office made a significant arrest on Thursday when they apprehended a man for impersonating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The suspect, identified as 23-year-old José Juan Lopez, reportedly attempted to pull over two Hispanic men, threatening to deport them in the process. Fortunately, the victims were quick to realize that Lopez did not appear to be a legitimate law enforcement officer, prompting them to drive off and contact 911.
Upon tracking down Lopez, law enforcement officers were surprised to find that he claimed to be the actual victim in the situation. However, after further investigation and questioning, deputies arrested and charged him with impersonating a federal law enforcement agent. This incident shed light on Lopez’s troubling history, including previous arrests for resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance, violation of probation, child abuse, domestic battery, and battery. It remains unclear whether he was convicted on any of these charges.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office Major Rueben Romero shared details of the incident, stating that Lopez had stopped the victims’ van to pick up a coworker when a silver truck blocked their path. A man, later identified as Lopez, emerged from the truck claiming to be an ICE agent and demanding identification and immigration status from the victims. Romero highlighted the victims’ astuteness in recognizing the impostor, noting that legitimate law enforcement officers do not typically dress in pajama pants and backward hats.
Impersonating a federal officer is a serious offense, carrying a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and up to three years in prison, as outlined by the Office of Law Revision Council. The swift action taken by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office in apprehending Lopez underscores their commitment to upholding the law and protecting the community from individuals who seek to deceive and intimidate others.
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