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The Los Angeles man was arrested in Huntington Park for possessing firearms loaded with luggage impersonating federal agents, law enforcement-style documents and other police equipment, authorities announced at a press conference Friday.
The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Fernando Diaz, was taken into custody at about 10:20pm on Tuesday night before being taken into custody after officers responded to a vehicle illegally parked in the 7,000 block of South Alameda Street.
Police initially believed that the grey Dodge Durango could become an unmarked law enforcement vehicle due to visible red and blue LED lights, police-style radio and firearm magazines inside the car. However, dispatchers confirmed that the SUV is registered with individuals in Los Angeles, not law enforcement.
As officers prepare to close the vehicle, the man identifies himself as the owner and asks him to retrieve the items he claims to belong to a friend. The officer asked him about internal law enforcement style equipment. He told police he previously worked as a security guard and claimed he was employed in US Customs and Border Protection but failed to create a valid qualification.
Fernando Diaz, 24, of Los Angeles, can be seen in this undated mugshot photo after his arrest in June 2025. (KTLA) Documents containing homeland security investigations and customs and border security letterheads can be seen here after authorities recovered from a LA man who could be impersonating a federal agent. Loading firearms in June 2025 (Huntington Park PD), police say criminal intent could be seen after authorities recovered them from LA men who could be impersonating federal agents. A Dodge Durango is seen as a run guy may be impersonating an unmarked federal law enforcement vehicle. June 2025 (Huntington Park PD)
Further investigation revealed that Diaz had a prominent warrant to drive under the influence and prior arrests related to human smuggling. Officers arrested him on the scene. During the search of the vehicle, police recovered documents that included a loaded 9mm semi-automatic firearm, two holsters, extra ammunition, three cell phones, multiple copies of a passport not registered in his name, and a homeland security investigation and customs and border protection letterhead. Officials also found a sheet of federal radio codes and other material that they say could indicate criminal intent.
Police say Diaz ultimately stopped working with the officers and asked for an attorney. The investigation is still underway.
“What this individual was doing with these items remains under investigation, but the presence of law enforcement-style equipment raises serious concerns without any confirmed authority,” Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores said at a press conference Friday. “If people can’t trust people who are enforcing the law, public safety is compromised and fear begins to take hold.”
Mayor Flores said amid growing uncertainty over the ongoing ice work in the area, residents reported that they were approached by masked, unmarked motorbike individuals who claim to be immigration agents but refused to identify themselves.
At a recent press conference held in response to Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass denounced Vance and Ice for inciting fear within the community, saying, “And frankly, it looks like they’ve ordered from Amazon. The mayor insisted that federal officials must identify themselves, or it will continue to spread the fear into the city.”
Sharing these sentiments, the Huntington Park city council passed a resolution Wednesday night calling for the police department to “certify the identity of those who claim to be federal immigration agents in our city.” The response comes days after the mayor issued a statement directing police to intervene in illegal or fraudulent operations and enforce self-identification of ice agents.
“Let me be clear,” Flores added Friday. “Huntington Park is not trying to sabotage legitimate federal operations. What we’re saying is simple. If you’re acting with federal authorities, show it. Identify yourself.
Police Chief Cosme Lozano said the incident “stimulated serious concerns about public safety, the impersonation of federal agents and the need for proper identification and review of legitimate federal enforcement activities.”
Additional information will be released as the investigation continues, police said.
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