Man arrested for pretending to be ICE agent allegedly called Mexican's 'dirty'

A 56-year-old man was arrested on Monday after he allegedly impersonated a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, handcuffing and robbing construction workers in California.

According to a news release issued by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Patrick Mullany allegedly identified himself as an ICE agent before handcuffing the men and demanding "court fees." Mullany claimed if the construction workers did not pay, he would deport them. The release stated that a victim claims a similar incident happened a week prior.

Detectives obtained a search warrant for Mullany's vehicle and home. Law enforcement officials located two replica firearms, two sets of handcuffs and a large amount of cash, Sacramento news station KTXL reported. He was arrested at the scene on suspicion of armed robbery, false imprisonment and impersonating an officer.

“For this group to call us and come forward it’s helpful because we got this guy off the street, who knows how many other people he targeted,” Sergeant Andrew Principe with the El Dorado County Sherriff’s Office told CBS 13.

Joe Torres, a neighbor of Mullany, told the outlet, “He talked about Mexicans saying they’re dirty. I told him I’m Mexican and he was quiet and treated me all right for the most part.”

Mullany is currently being held on a $102,000 bail at the El Dorado County Jail. It is possible he could face federal charges for impersonating an ICE officer.

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