Advance Notice: Briefs

Flint man arrested near U.S. Capitol with fake badge, body armor and ammunition

By: Jon King - June 3, 2022 2:48 pm

The U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, March 26, 2022 (Photo by Marisa Demarco / Source New Mexico)

A Michigan man is facing charges after being caught outside the U.S. Capitol Friday morning carrying a fake badge, a BB gun, body armor, high capacity magazines and other ammunition.

According to the U.S. Capitol Police, 53-year-old Jerome Felipe of Flint, presented a fake Interpol badge to an officer when questioned about parking his 2017 Dodge Challenger on the west side of the Capitol building.

Interpol, or the International Criminal Police Organization, is an international body that facilitates police cooperation worldwide.

Felipe, who is a retired New York police officer, also reportedly made a false statement that he was a criminal investigator with the agency.

Authorities say after Felipe gave officers permission to search his vehicle, they discovered a BB gun, two ballistic vests, several high capacity magazines, and other ammunition in the car, although no real guns were found.

The reason Felipe was parked near the U.S. Capitol remains under investigation. However, he is facing charges for Unlawful Possession of High Capacity Magazines and Unregistered Ammo.

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Jon King

Jon King has been a journalist for more than 35 years. He is the Past President of the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors Association and has been recognized for excellence numerous times, most recently in 2021 with the Best Investigative Story by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. He is also an adjunct faculty member at Cleary University. Jon and his family live in Howell, where he also serves on the Board of Directors for the Livingston Diversity Council.