Authorities in Phoenix dealt with an unusual and concerning incident earlier this month when a man was reported to be impersonating a federal agent and attempting to detain a security guard. On the evening of July 11, Phoenix Police responded to a call near 25th and Dunlap avenues, where a Valley Metro light rail employee reported Jose Ruben Herrera, Jr., 52, confronting a security guard while falsely claiming to be an undercover agent with ICE and the Border Patrol, according to ABC15.
According to court documents obtained by ABC15, Herrera accused the security officer of letting “a terrorist who was in his visual custody get away.” Despite his reluctance to show any badges or credentials proving his police enforcement position, Herrera requested the guard’s detention. Herrera was not hired by either ICE or Border Patrol, according to their records.
In a statement received by AZFamily, a retired ICE agent underscored the consequences of such impersonations, saying, “It puts the public in great danger,” and adding that maintaining ICE’s validity is vital. The retired spy argued that losing faith in their institutions has a detrimental impact on society…