Judge grants bail for DC men accused of impersonating federal agents

WASHINGTON – A judge in Washington, DC, plans to allow two men accused of posing as federal agents on bail. despite the prosecutors argued that they could pose a “risk to National security. “

Judge G. Michael Harvey on Tuesday said the case did not meet any of the criteria for denying bail.

He said posing as a federal officer was not a violent crime, and noted that while prosecutors allege that one of the defendants was at risk by flying because of his violent crime, ta. relations with Pakistan“There is no credible evidence of any foreign involvement in this case.”

Harvey ordered the release of Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 35, under house arrest by relatives in the area. He held the order until Wednesday morning to give prosecutors time to appeal.

Two DC residents were arrested last week for allegedly impersonating Homeland Security officials and “giving nice gifts” to Secret Service agents. delivered to the White Houseincludes a free apartment.

Prosecutors asked that the two men remain jailed pending trial, noting that they had amassed an arsenal of weapons, ammunition, armor, tactical equipment and surveillance equipment, and that the Secret Service agents they have recruited themselves to work in the White House, at the residence of Vice President Kamala Harris and details of First Lady Jill Biden.

Prosecutors said in court filings they had “committed conduct that poses a serious threat to the public, harms the operations of federal law enforcement, and poses a danger to federal law enforcement.” potential opportunities for national security”.

At Monday’s detention hearing, Taherzadeh’s attorney, Michelle Peterson, countered that the government had “jumped to the wildest conspiracy theories imaginable”.

In court filings, Taherzadeh’s attorneys argued that his claim to be a federal agent was “a shameful misrepresentation of facts out of control,” not a nefarious conspiracy. there.

Ali’s attorney, Gregory Smith, told the judge that prosecutors were “overwhelmed” and that his client, a married father of four young children, was not a threat to him. with anyone.

Taherzadeh and Ali have neither pleaded nor pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors say the two men tried to cover their tracks – including turning off GPS tracking on their phones and deleting social media posts – after they discovered their relationship with The secret service is under investigation.

Prosecutors Joshua Rothstein said the pair appeared to have been inadvertently informed of the investigation by the Secret Service on April 4. That was the day the Secret Service placed four agents on leave of absence. Taherzadeh and Ali and began to reconsider their behavior.

According to Rothstein, an investigator contacted Taherzadeh via work email and asked to speak to him. The investigator did not provide any details about the review, but Taherzadeh later realized he and Ali were under investigation, Rothstein added.

Prosecutors then turned to subpoenas, and the FBI arrested them on April 6. The two men were meeting with an unnamed attorney at a DC-area restaurant when they were arrested, Rothstein said. .

at Blogtuan.info – Source: nbcnews.com – Read the original article here