Brandon Kiel, the deputy director of community affairs for California’s Justice Department, which Kamala Harris heads, is currently on administrative leave as he faces charges of impersonating a police officer. Ritu Jha reports
An aide of California State Attorney General Kamala Harris, who sent letters to various police department in Southern California representing himself as “Chief Deputy Director Brandon Kiel" was arrested on April 30 along with two associates. They have been charged for running a fake police department, impersonating a peace officer and misuse of government identification by the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff officers.
Kiel, 36, a resident of Los Angeles, who works as deputy director of community affairs at the California Department of Justice, was on administrative leave at the time of the arrest, the State Attorney’s office told India Abroad.
“We have been cooperating with law enforcement on this investigation and will continue to do so. We cannot comment any further on the ongoing personnel matter or criminal investigation," Attorney General Harris’ spokeswoman said.
The other two who have been arrested were identified as 46-year-old David Henry and 56-year-old Tonette Hayes -- both residents of Santa Clarita in Southern California.
Detectives recovered badges, identification cards, weapons, uniforms, police vehicles and other law enforcement equipment, during searches at two locations.
According to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s office, on January 27, letters from the Masonic Fraternal Police Department addressed to chiefs of select law enforcement agencies throughout Southern California were sent via United States mail. The letters were sent to advice these chiefs that “David Henry” had been elected chief of the MFPD, which led to suspicion and confusion within the law enforcement community.
Shortly after law enforcement agencies began receiving these letters, many began receiving calls from an individual who identified himself as “Chief Deputy Director Brandon Kiel,” requesting meetings with each agency chief.
Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department began their involvement with investigation when a meeting was scheduled with Captain Roosevelt Johnson of Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
During Captain Johnson’s meeting with members of the MFPD, his suspicions were raised when they could not answer basic questions about MFPD’s jurisdiction and overall department mission.
The group claimed they were descendants of the “Knights Templar” and their police agency had been in existence for 3,000 years. They also claimed the MFPD had sovereign jurisdiction in 33 states and across the border in Mexico.
After a thorough investigation in collaboration with several law enforcement agencies, detectives determined that MFPD was not a legitimate police agency and arrested the three suspects.
Investigators believe there may be other individuals associated with the organisation.
Ricardo Santiago, public information officer, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office told India Abroad that the arraignment is scheduled on May 21.
The district attorney office has filed a criminal complaint against the three on 13 counts. The compliant filed at the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles alleges that Keil, “did willfully and unlawfully wear, exhibit and use the authorised uniform, insignia, emblem, device, label, certificate, card and writing of a peace officer with the intent of fraudulently impersonating a peace officer, and of fraudulently inducing the belief that defendant was a peace officer.”
Image: California State Attorney General Kamala Harris
