California police arrest two men for impersonating ICE agents

FRESNO, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Fresno Police say they arrested two men for impersonating ICE Agents, and it was all for social media posts.

It's a crime one defense attorney calls "a new level of stupid."

"Essentially they were caught in the act," said Miguel Arias with the Fresno City Council.

Two suspects looking for online attention striked fear in Fresno's immigrant community, and the Fresno Police Department (FPD) announced the arrest of two men impersonating ICE agents in River Park.

"On Monday, we started getting reports from the general community about ICE agents being engaged in enforcement activity in Fresno," Councilmember Arias shared.

Between Monday and Wednesday, Arias learned fake ICE agents harassed people at 11 River Park businesses. Those suspects also conducted traffic stops in south, southwest and central Fresno.

"Police began an investigation that ultimately led to their arrest on First and Gettysburg, in central Fresno," Arias remarked.

According to police, the two men recorded their acts for social media.

Criminal Defense Attorney Mark King, who has nearly two decades of experience, admits this crime is unusual: "I've never heard of this before during my career."

King says the criminals may not be very sophisticated: "It's one kind of stupid to commit a crime. To film the crime and post it on social media is a whole different level of stupid."

Arias believes Fresno was targeted: "They know it's a capital for the immigrant community. They know that we're about to start the seasonal harvest in the state."

King expects District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp to file charges in the state system.

"Impersonating a law enforcement officer can get you up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. If the U.S. Attorney's Office chose to pick it up, they could face as many as three years in prison in the federal system," King added.