A California man has pleaded guilty to posing as a US immigration officer and defrauding vulnerable migrants of large sums of money.
Davyd George Brand Jimenez, 55, admitted in a Los Angeles court that he impersonated an agent of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to scam immigrants seeking legal status in the United States.
According to prosecutors, he targeted undocumented members of the Latino community, promising to help them obtain work permits, residency, citizenship, and even Green Cards.
He charged victims between $10,000 and $20,000, despite having no authority to provide such services.
The US Department of Justice said Brand Jimenez pleaded guilty to 10 counts of impersonating a federal officer, along with charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, identity theft, and illegal use of government seals.
He is scheduled to be sentenced on July 16 and faces up to 117 years in prison, a fine of $4 million, and restitution of more than $152,000 to at least 25 victims.
Authorities said he also falsely claimed to be associated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In some cases, he told victims he held a non-existent “G-18” position.
Instead of filing genuine applications, he created fake documents using victims’ details, complete with forged government seals to appear legitimate.
In one instance, he even fabricated a stay of deportation order to convince a victim they were safe from removal.
The scheme left dozens of victims without money or any legal immigration benefits.
Officials say the case highlights ongoing fraud targeting immigrant communities, especially those seeking legal pathways to live and work in the United States.
