Fake ICE Agent Arrested After Community Activists Expose Illegal Detentions

Suspicious Traffic Stop Catches Activists' Attention

What appeared to be a routine late-night traffic stop in Galveston quickly raised red flags for community activists Robert Harvey and Bruce Rebmann. What looked like a late-night traffic stop to the people behind the camera immediately felt wrong. The two men, who regularly patrol Galveston County streets recording police interactions through their social media channels Harvey Freebird and Galveston Island Transparency, noticed something wasn't right about the supposed officer.

"He was doing everything a normal police officer does," Harvey recalled. "He had people's IDs in his hand, he was shining a flashlight at these people in the face." However, several details immediately stood out as suspicious. "First it was no police car," Harvey said. "Then it was his uniform. I've never seen police in a uniform like that. His tool belt and all of his stuff—it looked like it had just come in from Temu or Amazon or something."

The incident occurred on November 9 near Galveston's Strand in the 400 block of 24th Street, where a pair of Hispanic men had been detained in the 400 block of 24th Street by man who represented himself as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. When Harvey confronted the man directly asking for his name and badge number, "The fact that he wouldn't give me a name and badge number was another red flag," Harvey said.

Investigation Leads to Arrest and Evidence

Galveston police said the incident sparked an investigation. Days ago, officers arrested Joshua Warner. The 44-year-old Galveston resident was taken into custody on December 22 and is charged with two counts of impersonating a public servant. Warner's currently behind bars, where he's being held on a half-million-dollar bond.

When police executed a search warrant at Warner's home on Central City Boulevard, they discovered compelling evidence of his alleged crimes. When Galveston PD searched his home, they said they found "multiple items of evidence, including a fraudulent law enforcement identification card and a badge." Additionally, Warner's vehicle also was seized by investigators who allege it closely resembled an unmarked police vehicle.

The case gained momentum after Harvey shared his video footage on social media. "After I shared the video, messages came in from everywhere," Harvey said. "I probably got a hundred emails. A hundred messages on Messenger." This overwhelming response suggests Warner's alleged activities may have been more extensive than initially known.

Police Seek Additional Victims

Warner faces two counts of impersonating a public servant, but Galveston detectives believe there may be more victims. The department has taken an unusual step by releasing Warner's mugshot and information to social media, actively seeking anyone who may have been unlawfully detained by the suspect.

This case highlights a growing concern about individuals impersonating federal immigration agents, particularly targeting vulnerable populations. The fact that Warner allegedly posed specifically as an ICE agent suggests he may have been exploiting fears within immigrant communities. Police are encouraging anyone with information about Warner's activities or anyone who believes they were illegally detained by him to contact the Galveston Police Department at 409-765-3736.

Warner is scheduled to appear in court at the end of January. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities continue to piece together the full scope of his alleged impersonation scheme. This case demonstrates how alert citizens and social media can play crucial roles in exposing criminal activity and protecting community members from those who would abuse the appearance of legitimate law enforcement authority.