Man arrested, charged for impersonating ICE agent in Utah

SANDY, Utah (ABC4) — A man who has previously been deported was arrested for impersonating an ICE agent in Utah back in November. On Monday, he was convicted of more than 20 charges related to identity fraud and forgery.

Rony Javier Hernandez-Morales, 38 — described in a social media post by Salt Lake City Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a “twice removed Honduran” — was arrested in Sandy on 23 charges, including identity fraud, 13 counts of possession of forged writing or device for writing, theft, and more.

Authorities found 13 forged documents under the false name Rony Romero and other aliases, as well as five different vehicle registration documents under a fake name, according to court documents obtained by ABC4.com.

Documents also said five vehicles were registered under the name Rony Romero, and a sixth vehicle was registered to Rony Momero. Hernandez-Morales is also accused of having a California driver’s license under a fake name.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Hernandez-Moralez has been deported from the United States at least twice, and is not a legal resident of the U.S., according to documents.

Sentencing documents said Hernandez-Morales could be sentenced to prison for one to 15 years in Utah State Prison for the identity fraud conviction.

Documents also said Hernandez-Morales also would serve varying jail sentences based on his convictions (with credit granted for time served) and would be ordered to cooperate with ICE and leave the U.S. voluntarily if not deported.

According to charging documents, Sandy City Police first responded to a threat of violence at a home in Sandy in November. A victim reported that Hernandez-Morales threatened to kill several people, including the victim and himself.

Hernandez-Morales reportedly had two firearms and told the victim he worked for DHS. The victim also said the suspect took money out of the victim’s bank account without permission.

Documents allege that there is evidence of Hernandez-Morales “dressed and acting as a law enforcement officer, including showing a badge, despite not having legitimate law enforcement employment.”

After his arrest, documents say Hernandez-Morales admitted to fraudulently making identification under the name Rony Romero. He reportedly used that identification to “obtain credit, get jobs, and register vehicles,” documents said.

“ICE officers always carry official Homeland Security credentials!” Salt Lake City ICE clarified in the social media post.

Hernandez-Morales’ full charges are included below:

• 1 count of identity fraud, second-degree felony
• 13 counts of possession of forged writing or device for writing, third-degree felonies
• 1 count of theft exceeding $1,500 but less than $5,000, a third-degree felony
• 6 counts of false evidences of title and registration, third-degree felonies
• 1 count of impersonating a peace officer/public servant, a class B misdemeanor
• 1 count of threat of violence, a class B misdemeanor with a domestic violence enhancement

Sorina Trauntvein contributed to this report.