Two men accused of impersonating federal officers were arrested by the FBI on Wednesday in an alleged scheme to get close to members of the Secret Service and other members of the U.S. government as early as February 2020.
Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 36, are charged with impersonating federal law enforcement, in particular as employees from the Department of Homeland Security, according to the Washington Post. Their arrests were reported after law enforcement agents were seen raiding an apartment building in the Navy Yard area of Washington, D.C., which the FBI said was “court-authorized law enforcement activity.”
Taherzadeh and Ali are accused of obtaining handguns, assault rifles, and paraphernalia used by federal law enforcement agencies, and they allegedly gave gifts to government officials, which has resulted in four members of the Secret Service who received gifts being placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
Per source pic from one hour ago. All unmarked cars surrounded The Crossing on 1st St. “Weapons and shields drawn out and they went in tactical formation.” pic.twitter.com/t8arYDJlaW
— Kelly Laco (@kelly_laco) April 6, 2022
UPDATE: FBI now entering the building with boxes, some appearing to be for guns. pic.twitter.com/4ym80QLDaX
— Jennie Taer (@JennieSTaer) April 6, 2022
An investigation began on March 14 when a U.S. Postal Service inspector showed up at a Washington apartment complex where many federal employees live to address a complaint about an assault on a postal worker, according an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
FBI DIRECTOR CHRIS WRAY MUST CLEAN UP HIS AGENCY
The inspector was informed by residents that the men claimed to be “special police” officers working in undercover operations and investigations relating to the Capitol riot that took place on Jan. 6, 2021. The men had several apartments in the buildings, said their rent was paid for by the DHS, and even equipped their SUV with emergency lights, residents told the inspector.
Residents in apt building told fed investigators that Taherzadeh and Ali said they:
•had surveillance set up throughout complex and gained access to bldg system
•can access cell phone and personal info of residents
•sent pictures to residents of police gear in apt. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/IUFZGnjuo0— Lorenzo Hall (@LorenzoHall) April 7, 2022
According to Charging Docs: Since Feb 2020 — Taherzadeh and Ali used their “false and fraudulent affiliation” with DHS to ingratiate themselves with members of federal law enforcement and defense. @wusa pic.twitter.com/2erzV76InI
— Lorenzo Hall (@LorenzoHall) April 7, 2022
Taherzadeh in particular offered employees of the Secret Service and the DHS gifts such as “rent-free apartments (with a total yearly rent of over $40,000 per apartment), iPhones, surveillance systems, a drone, a flat screen television, a case for storing an assault rifle, a generator, and law enforcement paraphernalia,” the affidavit said. Additionally, it said Taherzadeh offered use of vehicles he claimed belonged to the government and offered to purchase a $2,000 assault rifle for an agent protecting first lady Jill Biden.
The inspector discovered that Taherzadeh and Ali had been in contact with several members of the Secret Service and provided them and their families gifts and use of their SUV, according to the affidavit. One witness also claimed Taherzadeh had a list of federal agents living in the building and had an unusual degree of elevator access for a normal resident, according to WUSA9.
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Taherzadeh and Ali are scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court on Thursday, according to prosecutors.
The Washington Examiner reached out to the Secret Service and the FBI for comment but did not receive a response.
