CNN today: Fake law enforcement/Homeland Security badges bust

[chookie]

This story appeared on CNN about 15 minutes ago -- I haven't been able to find a link to a story.

But the FBI busted a man -- a Russian-born American citizen, who lives in the Bronx -- who was selling fake law enforcement badges on the internet. He was working with a manufacturer in Taiwan. He also offered to pay persons who could provide him with genuine badges, which he would ship to Taiwan to be manufactured.

The badges covered a wide range of law enforcement areas -- and included the Secret Service, FBI, Homeland Security. The FBI is now trying to hunt down the people who purchased these fake badges.

This is a serious matter....

Besides the obvious threat to national security, the first thing that came to my mind was -- gee, what about that guy with the dark glasses and ear piece who keeps turning up at Bush rallies and arresting people who is NOT a Secret Service Agent, but who is clearly impersonating one? And why isn't the Secret Service on this guy's ass? After all, he keeps appearing again and again at these events. The Republican Party seems so fucking disinterested in a man impersonating a Secret Service agent that I can reasonably conjecture that they know who he is and are protecting him, because he is "loyal."

[seafan]

1. Here's a link. This would be great in LBN.

Cops Take Down Bronx Man In Counterfeit Badge Ring
More Than 1300 Counterfeit Badges Seized


May 10, 2005 12:07 pm US/Eastern
NEW YORK (CBS) Federal agents have confiscated weapons and fake badges in a Bronx bust that has repercussions for national security.

A Bronx man has been arrested on federal charges for sending through the mail more than a thousand fake law enforcement badges and now the department of homeland security wants the public's help in finding out what he planned to do with them. More than 1300 counterfeit badges from more than 35 agencies including fake air marshal badges of particular concern after 9-11 were confiscated.

Agents from the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, otherwise known as ICE, made the seizure at the apartment of Sergio Khorosh, who on a website is identified as the owner of Pro Police products in the Bronx. He is being charged with three counts including unlawful transportation of counterfeit police badges and illegal weapons possession.

--snip

Also seized were three high caliber assault weapons, some smaller firearms, gun scopes, police scanners, radios, police jackets and vests and $16,000 dollars in cash and what police believe is cocaine and marijuana.

If you have any information about the Bronx man, Sergio Khorash or these fake badges, please call the Department of Homeland Security’s tip line and that number is 866-DHS-2-I-C-E.

http://cbsnewyork.com/topstories/topstoriesny_story_130121129.html