Fact Check: South Carolina man charged with kidnapping for impersonating ICE officer
What We Know
On February 2, 2025, Sean-Michael Emmrich Johnson, a 33-year-old man from Huger, South Carolina, was arrested after allegedly impersonating an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. He was initially charged with one count of felony kidnapping, as well as misdemeanor charges for impersonating a law enforcement officer, larceny, and third-degree assault and battery (source). The incident involved Johnson confronting a driver, during which he reportedly took the driver's keys and made claims about the driver's immigration status (source).
A 911 call made by Johnson revealed that he referred to the driver as "Mexican" and suggested that he was "illegal" (source). This confrontation was captured in a video that went viral on social media, showing Johnson arguing with the driver and asserting his authority as if he were a law enforcement officer (source).
Following his arrest, Johnson turned himself in and was released on bond, but he now faces two additional counts of kidnapping related to the incident (source).
Analysis
The claim that a South Carolina man was charged with kidnapping for impersonating an ICE officer is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The details provided by the Sullivan’s Island Police Department confirm that Johnson was indeed charged with felony kidnapping and impersonating a law enforcement officer (source). The viral video of the incident serves as critical evidence, illustrating Johnson's actions and statements during the confrontation (source).
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include local news outlets that reported directly on the police statements and court proceedings. The police chief's comments provide official confirmation of the charges, while the video evidence corroborates the narrative of Johnson's actions. Additionally, the context of the incident, including the racial undertones and the implications of impersonating an ICE officer, adds weight to the seriousness of the charges (source).
However, it is important to note that while the charges are serious, they are still allegations at this stage, and Johnson has not yet been convicted. His family has expressed concerns about his mental health and alcohol issues, indicating that there may be underlying factors contributing to his behavior (source).
Conclusion
The claim that a South Carolina man was charged with kidnapping for impersonating an ICE officer is True. The evidence from police reports, video footage, and news coverage supports this assertion. Johnson's actions, as described in the reports, clearly align with the charges brought against him, and the context of the incident underscores the severity of his alleged impersonation of a law enforcement officer.
