A man accused of impersonating a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and threatening employees at a Miami Gardens food truck is behind bars, according to authorities.
Investigators identified the suspect as Jonathan Gonzalez Reyes, who faces multiple charges, including aggravated assault and impersonating an officer.
Exclusive surveillance video obtained by NBC6 appears to show Reyes arriving at a Miami Gardens parking lot in a vehicle equipped with blue flashing lights. In the video, Reyes can also be seen wearing what appears to be a badge and carrying what appears to be a holstered firearm.
Luis Rodriguez, owner of the food truck where the incidents allegedly occurred, said Reyes first approached the business several months ago and portrayed himself as a high-ranking ICE agent.
“He started talking to one of my employees, saying he was a very important person,” Rodriguez said. “He said that he was the most important ICE agent in Miami.”
Rodriguez said Reyes attempted to convince him that he could help resolve immigration-related issues in exchange for money.
According to Rodriguez, Reyes spoke loudly about undocumented immigrants while standing near him and his employees.
“He made sure I was right next to him so I could hear,” Rodriguez said. “He was saying, ‘Yes, yes, we have two Nicaraguans and one Haitian.'”
Rodriguez said he became suspicious and asked Reyes to leave.
“I said, ‘This circus you have going on right here is getting very annoying and very uncomfortable for me and my employees,'” Rodriguez recalled. “‘I’m going to ask you to please get out of my business and never come back.'”
About a month later, Rodriguez said Reyes returned.
Surveillance video from that visit captures what Rodriguez described as a confrontation involving one of his employees. Rodriguez alleges Reyes threatened the employee with a gun, threatened to pistol-whip him and claimed he would plant drugs inside the business to get it shut down.
Rodriguez said he decided to publicly share his story because he’s an American citizen and felt he could voice this story.
“That’s why I didn’t let this guy trick me,” Rodriguez said. “But I wouldn’t imagine what it would be like for somebody else.”
He believes other people may have been targeted.
“I’m pretty sure he went to other places and tried to scam people,” Rodriguez said. He is encouraging others to reach out to authorities.
Authorities said Reyes’ bond was set at $11,000 across several charges.
NBC6 reached out to ICE for comment. The agency said this was the first time it had heard about the case.
The investigation remains ongoing.
