Man Admits Posing as ICE Agent Scam

A San Ysidro man pleaded guilty on April 22 to posing as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent while taking money from Latino immigrants in Orange County. (justice.gov, 10news.com) Davyd George Brand Jimenez, 55, admitted in Los Angeles federal court to 10 counts of false impersonation of a federal officer, two counts of mail fraud, two counts of wire fraud, and one count each of fraudulent use of U.S. government seals and aggravated identity theft. Sentencing is set for July 16. (10news.com, ocregister.com) Prosecutors said he targeted more than 25 victims from April 2019 through November 2020, charging $10,000 to $20,000 each for promised work permits, green cards, or U.S. citizenship that never arrived. The government said he collected $152,476 in restitution-linked losses. (justice.gov, ocregister.com) According to the 2023 indictment, Brand Jimenez showed victims a fake ICE badge, called himself a Homeland Security official, and sometimes used the invented title “G-18” federal official. Prosecutors said he also gave victims fabricated immigration papers bearing Department of Homeland Security emblems. (justice.gov) California officials had already warned that reports of fake ICE officers and immigration scams were rising. In a March 18, 2025 alert, Attorney General Rob Bonta said immigration officers do not ask for money or financial information and urged victims to report scams. (oag.ca.gov) That warning came as fear around immigration enforcement made impersonation schemes easier to sell. State guidance told Californians to ask for identification, avoid signing papers they do not understand, and get legal help only from lawyers, accredited representatives, or recognized organizations. (oag.ca.gov) The federal case also stretched over nearly three years between indictment and plea. When he was charged in May 2023, the Justice Department said Brand Jimenez was being sought by federal authorities; his plea now moves the case to sentencing. (justice.gov, ocregister.com) On July 16, Brand Jimenez is scheduled to return to court to learn his sentence, closing a case built around a fake badge and real money taken from immigrants trying to stay in the country legally. (ocregister.com, justice.gov)