Fake DHS officer offered lavish gifts like apartments, cars, and guns to Secret Service members, including agent on Jill Biden’s protective detail

Two men were charged with impersonating federal law enforcement agents in Washington, D.C., according to court documents. One of the fake Department of Homeland Security officers offered lavish gifts to Secret Service agents, including one officer on first lady Jill Biden’s protective detail.

Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 35, were arrested during a raid at a luxury apartment complex in the Southeast section of Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The duo was charged with impersonating a federal law enforcement officer, which they had been doing since February, 2020, according to prosecutors. The men had insignias and firearms used by federal agents “to ingratiate themselves with members of federal law enforcement and the defense community,” according to the filing.

The men “claimed to be involved in undercover gang-related investigations as well as conducting investigations related to the violence at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021,” the affidavit said.

On March 14, 2022, when questioned by an inspector from the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the men said they were members of a DHS unit called the “U.S. Special Police Investigation Unit” – which does not exist. The inspector relayed the information to the Office of Inspector General, who then informed the FBI. – READ MORE