A Miami-Dade food truck owner, Luis Rodriguez, says a man later identified as Jonathan Christian Gonzalez-Reyes entered his business claiming to be a high-ranking U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official and offering to resolve immigration problems in exchange for money. Rodriguez says the visitor displayed what appeared to be a badge and carried a holstered firearm.
Surveillance footage aired by NBC6 reportedly shows Gonzalez-Reyes arriving in a vehicle equipped with blue flashing lights and speaking with staff while wearing what looks like a badge and a holstered gun.
First Encounter: A Show Of Authority
Rodriguez told reporters that Gonzalez-Reyes initially began speaking with one of his employees, presenting himself as an important ICE agent and offering help with immigration-related matters in return for payment. At one point, Rodriguez says the man deliberately spoke loudly about alleged undocumented workers—"Yes, yes, we have two Nicaraguans and one Haitian"—so others could hear.
"This circus that you have going on right here, it's getting very annoying and very uncomfortable for me and my employees," Rodriguez told NBC6, describing how he ultimately asked the man to leave. "I'm going to ask you to please get out of my business and never come back."
Second Visit: Threats, Gun And Allegations Of Planting Drugs
About a month later, Univision—citing an arrest report—says the encounter escalated. The arrest report, dated July 8 in Univision's account, alleges Gonzalez-Reyes returned with a gun and badge at his waist, again claimed to be a senior ICE official, and implied he could provide "protection" in exchange for assistance the victim understood to mean money.
According to the report summary, after being told to leave, Gonzalez-Reyes allegedly threatened to pistol-whip Rodriguez's son, threatened to plant drugs at the food truck to get it shut down, and pulled a firearm from his waist and pointed it at Rodriguez while making threats. The report says he then returned to his vehicle and activated police-style sirens as he drove away.
Arrest And Charges
Gonzalez-Reyes, 45, was detained on Sept. 16 when deputies stopped him as he left his residence, the arrest report says. After being taken to a police station and read his rights, he initially denied knowing Rodriguez or visiting the food truck; he also denied pulling a gun before saying he had been only showing it and had no bad intentions, according to Univision's account.
Authorities booked Gonzalez-Reyes on multiple counts, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, falsely impersonating an officer, unlawful use of law-enforcement identification and prohibited use of blue lights. NBC6 contacted ICE, which told the station it had not previously been aware of the incident. The investigation is ongoing.
Community Concerns
Rodriguez told NBC6 he felt able to speak about the incident because he is an American citizen and said he suspected other businesses may have been targeted. "I'm pretty sure he went to other places and tried to scam people," Rodriguez said. News outlet GH noted it found no evidence in the reporting it reviewed that identified additional victims.
Note: Impersonating law enforcement and using official-looking equipment or lights is a serious crime. Local businesses and residents who encounter similar behavior are advised to contact local authorities immediately and avoid confronting suspected impersonators.
