3 accused of operating fake police department

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

Three people, including one who works for California Attorney General Kamala Harris, were charged after claiming to operate a police department with jurisdiction in 33 states and Mexico and that traces its roots back 3,000 years, authorities said Wednesday.

Brandon Kiel, David Henry and Tonette Hayes were taken into custody last week on suspicion of impersonating officers as members of the Masonic Fraternal Police Department, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said.

Detectives believe other people may be involved in the operation, sheriff’s spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said.

Deputies found ID cards, uniforms and law- enforcementlike vehicles along with other official police equipment during their search of a home and office linked to the group, she said.

However, Nishida said there were no indications the group was stopping the public or conducting other law-enforcement activities.