Authorities say a Balcones Heights woman took a routine traffic stop way too far when she allegedly tried to pass herself off as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation officer, both on the roadside and later in court.
Investigators say Sandra Trevino, a Balcones Heights resident, was arrested and charged with impersonating a public servant after she repeatedly identified herself as an ICE deportation officer during a May traffic stop and then again at a municipal-court appearance in June. Officers report that Trevino displayed what she claimed was a federal badge, said she had gone on deportation flights, claimed to hold a security clearance and questioned why she was being pulled over. She faces a third-degree felony charge and was released on a $5,000 personal-recognizance bond.
Traffic stop, court appearance and evidence
Balcones Heights police say they first pulled Trevino over on May 25 for alleged traffic violations, including running a stop sign, failing to signal and illegal window tint. During the stop, investigators say she showed officers a photo on her phone that she said was a federal badge and claimed she worked for ICE.
According to court staff and witnesses, Trevino again identified herself as an ICE agent on June 8 while at Balcones Heights Municipal Court and showed what she said was a Department of Homeland Security badge. Investigators told reporters they reviewed witness statements and body-camera footage, then contacted her employer, which confirmed she is a civilian contractor with no arrest authority, as reported by News 4 San Antonio.
What the charge carries
Under Texas law, impersonating a public servant is a third-degree felony offense that can carry a prison term and fines. The statute and offense level are detailed in Texas Penal Code § 37.11.
A broader problem
Cases involving suspects who pretend to be ICE agents or other law-enforcement officers have cropped up across Texas and around the country, sometimes used to rob or intimidate victims. In a recent Houston case, a man who posed as an ICE officer to rob a driver received a multiyear sentence, and national reporting has noted a rise in impersonation schemes and FBI warnings about scammers posing as federal agents, as described by the Houston Chronicle and RealClearInvestigations.
Legal status and next steps
Authorities say Trevino was booked after the May 25 stop, then released on a $5,000 personal-recognizance bond, and that municipal-court dockets will list her upcoming hearing dates. Investigators report they plan to present witness statements, body-camera video and confirmation from her employer to prosecutors as the case moves through Balcones Heights and county courts, according to News 4 San Antonio.
