Miami-Dade man accused of impersonating ICE agent arrested by federal authorities
Key Points(5)
- A Miami-Dade man accused of posing as a U.S.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent to extort and threaten a food-truck worker has been arrested by federal authorities, days after he was taken into custody on state charges.
- Jonathan Gonzalez-Reyes, 45, was arrested Sunday after ICE agents surrounded his home in Hialeah.
- Federal officials said the arrest was related to allegations that he impersonated a federal officer and was not based on his immigration status.
- The federal action follows Gonzalez-Reyes’ arrest by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday over an alleged encounter with a food-truck worker in July.
A Miami-Dade man accused of posing as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent to extort and threaten a food-truck worker has been arrested by federal authorities, days after he was taken into custody on state charges.
Jonathan Gonzalez-Reyes, 45, was arrested Sunday after ICE agents surrounded his home in Hialeah. Federal officials said the arrest was related to allegations that he impersonated a federal officer and was not based on his immigration status.
The federal action follows Gonzalez-Reyes’ arrest by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday over an alleged encounter with a food-truck worker in July.
According to an arrest affidavit, Gonzalez-Reyes went to the El Lider Miami food truck on July 8 while carrying a gun and wearing a badge on his hip. He allegedly told a worker that he held a high-ranking position with ICE and could help him with immigration matters in exchange for money.
Authorities said Gonzalez-Reyes threatened to harm and pistol-whip the victim’s son and plant drugs in the food truck so the business would be shut down. During the confrontation, he allegedly pulled out his gun and pointed it toward the victim.
Investigators said Gonzalez-Reyes then returned to his personal vehicle, activated police-style sirens and drove away.
Miami-Dade sheriff’s deputies conducting surveillance at Gonzalez-Reyes’ home on Wednesday stopped him as he was leaving the property.
During an interview with investigators, Gonzalez-Reyes denied going to the victim’s workplace, according to the affidavit. He reportedly acknowledged showing the victim his firearm but said he “did not have bad intentions.”
He was charged at the state level with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, impersonating an officer, prohibited use of certain blue lights and unlawful use, display or wearing of a police badge, insignia or other law enforcement indicia.
His subsequent arrest by ICE adds a federal dimension to the case, with authorities alleging that he impersonated a federal official.
