Kentucky man uses challenge coins, ICE shirt to impersonate federal agent
A Madison County man pleaded guilty to a charge of impersonating a federal officer after he claimed to be a Homeland Security agent using challenge coins and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement t-shirt.
Roderick Tejeda, 55, of Richmond, was charged Oct. 30 with impersonating a federal officer, according to court documents. He pleaded guilty to the charge Nov. 4 after he waived his right to a formal indictment.
In June 2024, Tejeda contacted L&W Outfitters, located in Anderson County, to outfit his vehicle with red and blue lights, a siren, speaker, console, antenna and keyless entry. He told an employee there he was a Homeland Security Investigations agent, according to his plea agreement. Tejeda provided two “generic” challenge coins — small medallions with an organization’s insignia — to an employee at the store.
Homeland Security is a law enforcement agency that conducts federal criminal investigations into the illegal movement of people, money, weapons and technology in the U.S.
Later in July, an employee with L&W called Tejeda about the equipment, and Tejeda said he was a member of the Department of Homeland Security, according to his plea agreement.
The employee told Tejeda law enforcement credentials were required to make the changes. A few days later, Tejeda reportedly arrived at the store with a shirt that said “HSI Special Agent” and “ICE.”
Tejeda was reported to the Lawrenceburg Police Department by employees at L&W Outfitters. Tejeda told the officer he was not a law enforcement officer of any kind, according to his arrest citation.
He was charged with impersonating a peace officer in state court. Those charges remain pending.
Tejeda was previously an attorney in Richmond, whose law license is currently suspended, according to the Kentucky Bar Association website.
He has another case pending in Madison Circuit Court for misdemeanor assault.
Tejeda could face up to two years in prison and a fine up to $250,000 for his federal charge.
His sentencing is scheduled for March 11 in Frankfort.
