Video Rep Chip Roy: ICE, Border Patrol should get the funding they deserve Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, discusses the DHS shutdown, criticizing Democrats for opposing full DHS funding for border security and more on ‘The Big Weekend Show.’
A man accused of targeting federal immigration agents and pretending to be one of them is now facing serious prison time after prosecutors say his stunt put law enforcement in danger.
Jaime Ernesto Alvarez-Gonzalez, 53, an illegal immigrant who overstayed a tourist visa decades ago, pleaded guilty Tuesday after admitting he impersonated a U.S. Border Patrol agent to interfere with deportation operations.
Authorities say the impersonation was deliberate and planned.
On Jan. 8, Alvarez-Gonzalez allegedly trailed a real Border Patrol agent through San Diego, Calif., in a black Ford F-150 dressed up to resemble an undercover federal vehicle.
TOW TRUCK DRIVER SLAPPED WITH FEDERAL CHARGE AFTER HAULING AWAY ICE VEHICLE: 'HE CAN LAUGH BEHIND BARS'
Prosecutors say Alvarez-Gonzalez possessed firearms despite being prohibited. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
The truck appeared convincing at a glance, outfitted with a Border Patrol sticker, fake radio antennas, a dashboard lightbar and handcuffs hanging from the mirror, despite a license plate frame that misspelled "Federal" as "Ferderal."
It worked well enough that the real agent believed he was being followed by another federal officer and pulled off his mission for safety.
OKLAHOMA MAN CHARGED WITH THREATENING TO KILL ICE AGENTS, MAGA REPUBLICANS ONLINE
According to court filings, Alvarez-Gonzalez narrated the encounter in real time, claiming he was "on patrol" as he tracked the agent through city streets. At one point, he pulled alongside the agent at a stoplight and began recording him, later following him into a gas station parking lot and declaring he would stay on his "target."
Prosecutors say Alvarez-Gonzalez posed with official Border Patrol vehicles. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
Prosecutors say Alvarez-Gonzalez, wearing a face mask and a "thin green line" hat, was actively searching for federal agents involved in ICE and Border Patrol operations.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT INDICTED IN ALLEGED ASSAULT ON ICE AGENTS IN TEXAS
Prosecutors say Alvarez-Gonzalez recorded himself during the incident. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
When agents confronted him, the situation escalated quickly.
Authorities say he shouted obscenities, ordered agents out of the Linda Vista neighborhood, and then called in what he described as his "reinforcements." Multiple vehicles soon arrived and people began harassing and chasing federal agents onto the highway — an encounter Alvarez-Gonzalez filmed himself.
Image 1 of 3 next The suspect's truck was modified with law enforcement-style features, prosecutors say. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
Image 2 of 3 prev next The vehicle was equipped with a dashboard lightbar to resemble law enforcement. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
Image 3 of 3 prev Photos show Alvarez-Gonzalez posing with multiple firearms. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
He was arrested days later. But investigators say the impersonation was only part of the story.
A series of photos shared by prosecutors show Alvarez-Gonzalez handling firearms at a Houston-area shooting range after traveling to Texas, despite being barred from possessing weapons. In one image, he is seen holding a Kalashnikov-style rifle alongside a caption referencing "Pancho Villa" in the United States.
Vehicle used in the alleged impersonation featured a Texas plate labeled "Ferderal Truck." (U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of California)
Additional images appear to show him displaying multiple rifles near a pickup truck and standing beside a Ford vehicle with a Texas license plate and markings resembling a "Ferderal Truck" label paired with a sheriff-style emblem.
Authorities recovered law enforcement-style items and plates from the defendant. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
Authorities say other photos place him in front of an actual Border Patrol vehicle and, in a separate shot, near a heavily secured stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border, where he is seen wearing what appears to be a vest and badge while standing by a "No Trespassing" sign.
Image shows Alvarez-Gonzalez near a restricted area at the southern border. (U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of California)
Investigators say they also recovered an FBI-style badge and found that Alvarez-Gonzalez had access to firearms, including a Glock pistol, along with ammunition tied to weapons he was not legally allowed to possess.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Court documents further allege he tried to cover his tracks. While in custody, authorities say he called an associate and asked that law enforcement-style markings be removed from his vehicles. When agents later searched them, much of the apparent impersonation gear had already been taken off.
Following his guilty plea, Alvarez-Gonzalez now faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison on the firearms charges alone.
Stepheny Price is a Writer at Fox News with a focus on West Coast and Midwest news, missing persons, national and international crime stories, homicide cases, and border security.
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
