Haider Ali and Arian Taherzadeh were indicted in Washington for false impersonation and possession of large-capacity ammunition devices.
This case was brought to the attention by more than 12 FBI agents raiding a luxury apartment block in southwest Washington earlier this month. The prosecution claimed that the two had lied to Secret Service officers, and offered them lavish apartments and gifts to help them “intimidate” and integrate with law enforcement agents.
Authorities found five apartments with police training manuals, body armor, gas masks and zip ties in five apartments. Prosecutors said that the FBI discovered evidence that the two men were creating surveillance devices. They also had high-power telescopes and surveillance equipment. Prosecutors also reported that the FBI found numerous firearms, including ammunition and handguns, and also disassembled rifle pieces as well as sniper scopes.
Prosecutors said that the agents also discovered a binder containing information about all residents of the luxury apartment building. This binder was home to law enforcement officers and defense officials, as well as congressional staff.
Prosecutors claim that Ali and Taherzadeh falsely claimed they worked for the Department of Homeland Security. They also work on a special taskforce investigating gangs, violence and connections to the Jan. 6 insurrection.
According to court documents, Taherzadeh was accused of renting out apartments for Secret Service agents and officers — including a penthouse valued at more than $40,000 per year — as well as iPhones, surveillance and policing tools such as a generator, gun case, and a television. According to prosecutors, Taherzadeh offered to buy a $2,000 assault rifle to a Secret Service agent assigned to protect first lady.
When the U.S. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service started investigating the assault of a mail carrier in the apartment building. The men claimed to be part of a phony Homeland Security Unit they called the U.S. Special Police Investigation Unit.
Michelle Peterson, Taherzadeh’s lawyer , stated that he did not intend to compromise the agents, and had instead provided lavish apartments and gifts as a friend.
She stated that her client was previously licensed in Washington as an unarmed Special Police Officer – a private security guard to protect people and property – and a licensed Private Detective. After his arrest, Taherzadeh spoke out in detail with investigators. He said that he made an “embarrassing misrepresentation that got outof control.”
Greg Smith, Ali’s lawyer, argued that his client did not know Taherzadeh was lying to him about a connection with Homeland Security, and believed he was working for the government.
