Former NYPD Sergeant Pleads Guilty to Impersonating ICE Official

A former New York Police Department sergeant, Atickul Islam, has admitted guilt to charges of falsely representing himself as a federal immigration officer. This act aimed to threaten a woman and her family with deportation, described by prosecutors as an attempt to exact revenge on someone from his personal life.

Islam, aged 29 and hailing from Queens, appeared in federal court in Brooklyn to face charges of impersonating a U.S. officer. This federal offense carries a potential maximum penalty of three years in prison. The plea was accepted by U.S. District Judge Dora L. Irizarry.

According to court documents, Islam falsely identified himself as the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York. He sent the woman involved what appeared to be an official immigration notice, instructing her family to report to an ICE office by April 15, 2025. This led to charges of impersonating a federal officer.

Under President Trump’s administration, ICE has expanded significantly, prioritizing mass deportation and adding numerous officers. This growth has seen an increase in reported cases of individuals posing as ICE agents.

Text messages from March 29 reveal Islam threatening the woman with perpetual poverty and promising the involvement of ICE. He further indicated knowledge of their residence.

Hours later, Islam called her from an unknown number, again falsely identifying as the leader of ICE’s New York Field Office. He presented the call as an official notice and instructed her family to report to ICE or face further legal action.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. criticized Islam’s misuse of power for personal vendetta, emphasizing the expectation for law enforcement officers to act with integrity.

James C. Barnacle Jr., an FBI official, condemned Islam’s actions, citing the misuse of fake authority to intimidate.

Islam’s plea agreement required him to resign from the NYPD, effective September 25, before his plea submission. He cannot seek law enforcement positions again.

Initially pleading not guilty post-arrest in November 2025, Islam was freed on a $25,000 bond. His case underwent extensive discovery before his plea hearing on September 30. Sentencing is set for March 24, 2027, with a potential three-year max sentence.

In 2025, the FBI issued warnings about criminals exploiting ICE’s high profile. Such individuals targeted vulnerable communities by impersonating ICE agents, resulting in various crimes.

Incidents cited by the FBI include a North Carolina man’s sexual assault crime after posing as an ICE agent, multiple cases in Brooklyn, and a Florida kidnapping by someone impersonating an ICE officer.

An ICE spokesperson strongly criticized impersonation attempts, warning of charges on multiple levels for offenders.

A retired ICE agent, Scott Mechkowski, noted the ease with which individuals can pose as ICE agents, attributing it to the agency’s perceived ubiquity.

This article was edited by Matthew Cannon and Cristina Diciu for Newsweek.