U.S. Attorney: San Jose man posed as DEA agent to rent home, dole out vigilante justice
A San Jose man impersonating a federal drug agent forged credentials, outfitted his truck with lights and sirens, and used the fake persona to bypass credit checks, haggle for lower rents, intimidate rivals and dole out vigilante justice, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.
Jonathan V. Hoang, 47, was arrested and indicted last week on four federal counts related to the alleged fakery, including possession of a counterfeit seal of an agency of the United States and pretending to be an officer of the United States.
The criminal complaint against Hoang states that the defendant first aroused suspicion when he was evicted from his rental home July 19 after failing to pay several consecutive months. Hoang was able to rent the home in part because of the authority he exuded to the owner in December, particularly the display of his badge and gun. He also presented documents with purported Drug Enforcement Agency letterhead that verified his employment and stated that the agency already ran a credit check on him. Because of Hoang's apparent law-enforcement service, the owner agreed to a lower monthly rent.
"The badges and credentials were not exactly accurate," according to a federal affidavit, "but nevertheless closely resembled real DEA badges and credentials."
full: http://www.mercurynews.com/crime-courts/ci_21166474/feds-san-jose-man-posed-dea-agent-rent
