An NYPD sergeant accused of impersonating an ICE official to threaten a woman in his personal life with deportation has entered a plea, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York. The office said Sgt. Atickul Islam used lies and the threat of deportation to take revenge on the woman, though it did not detail the specific charge to which he pleaded or any sentencing terms.
The announcement came Wednesday via a statement posted with the New York FBI on the US Attorney EDNY
's X account, which identifies itself as the official account of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York and is based in Brooklyn. United States Attorney Nocella said Islam used lies and the threat of deportation to carry out the vendetta. “We expect law enforcement officers of every rank to act with honesty and integrity. As demonstrated by today's plea, our Office will not tolerate any officer who would use the threat of federal law enforcement to carry out a personal vendetta,” the office said in the statement.
The case traces back to allegations first reported in November, when Islam was accused of pretending to be the field office director of ICE's New York Field Office. As reported by PIX11, Islam allegedly contacted an unnamed victim on March 29 and demanded that she and her family report to an ICE location in New York City by April 15. Court documents say the alleged incident took place in Queens, and PIX11 reported that Islam was suspended following his arrest, according to an NYPD spokesperson.
A Sergeant's Rise and a Federal Charge
Islam joined the NYPD in 2018 and became a sergeant in 2023, according to the New York Daily News. The paper reported that he was arraigned in Brooklyn Federal Court on a single count of false personation and pleaded not guilty at that earlier proceeding. Following the arrest, the Daily News reported, Islam was suspended from the NYPD without pay for 30 days and was to remain suspended until the criminal case was resolved.
Gothamist reported that Islam faces one count of false impersonation of an officer of the United States. Citing public records, the outlet noted Islam earned $155,813 in 2025, including a base salary of $105,606, according to Gothamist.
Conflicting Reports on Alleged Alias
News accounts differ on the alias Islam allegedly used while posing as an immigration official. The Daily News reported that he was also known as James W. Anderson, while UPI reported the alias as John W. Anderson. The discrepancy between the two accounts has not been resolved in available reporting.
Wednesday's plea announcement did not specify what charge Islam admitted to or outline any sentencing details, leaving open questions about how the case that began with the November arraignment was ultimately resolved. The U.S. Attorney's Office framed the development as a warning to officers who might misuse their positions, reiterating that the office will not tolerate an officer using the threat of federal law enforcement to carry out a personal vendetta.
