Fact Check: "A man was arrested for impersonating an ICE officer and sexually assaulting a woman."
What We Know
Recently, two separate incidents have come to light involving men impersonating Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and committing sexual assaults.
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In Brooklyn Heights, New York, a man named Leon Howell, 43, was arrested for allegedly posing as an ICE agent before attempting to rape a 51-year-old woman. The incident occurred on February 13, 2025, when Howell approached the victim as she waited for a cab, claimed to be an ICE officer, and directed her to a nearby stairwell where he assaulted her. He subsequently stole her belongings, including a cellphone and purse, before fleeing the scene. The victim sustained injuries but was reported to be stable after receiving medical attention (ABC7).
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In Raleigh, North Carolina, another man, Carl Bennett, was arrested for similar offenses. Bennett, 37, allegedly impersonated an ICE officer at a Motel 6, where he threatened to deport a woman if she did not comply with his demands for sex. He reportedly displayed a business card with a badge to intimidate the victim. Bennett faces multiple charges related to sexual assault and other crimes (WRAL).
Analysis
The claims regarding both incidents are corroborated by multiple news sources, which provide detailed accounts of the events and the charges filed against the suspects. The reports from reputable outlets like ABC7 and WRAL are consistent in their descriptions of the incidents, including the methods used by the suspects to impersonate ICE officers and the subsequent assaults.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations known for their investigative journalism. Both reports include direct quotes from law enforcement and describe the circumstances surrounding the arrests, lending credibility to the claims. Additionally, the incidents reflect a concerning trend where individuals exploit the fear surrounding immigration enforcement to perpetrate crimes against vulnerable populations (ABC7, WRAL).
While some may question the broader implications of these impersonations in the context of immigration policy and enforcement, the specific claims about the arrests and the nature of the crimes are well-supported by the evidence presented.
Conclusion
The claim that a man was arrested for impersonating an ICE officer and sexually assaulting a woman is True. Both incidents in Brooklyn Heights and Raleigh confirm that individuals have indeed been arrested for these serious crimes, with detailed accounts provided by credible news sources.
