A Florida man is facing charges for impersonating an officer after he allegedly posed as a Homeland Security officer and searched for undocumented immigrants at an apartment complex in Orlando. The incident took place at the Sabal Palm apartment complex on a Monday evening when Orlando Police responded to a call about a suspicious individual.
The suspect, identified as 47-year-old Steven Kenneth Donovan, was found standing near a bicycle when officers arrived. Donovan reportedly claimed he was a “homeland security officer” and showed a blue card to the officers as proof. However, the card was not an official identification but rather an application for a security officer license. This raised suspicions about Donovan’s true identity.
Donovan had been seen earlier in the day at the apartment complex, where he allegedly approached an employee. The employee reported that Donovan, riding a bicycle, asked him to open one of the apartments. When the employee refused, Donovan reportedly opened his jacket, revealing part of a handgun. Concerned, the employee walked away and headed to the front office to call the police, with Donovan following him.
Once inside the office, Donovan allegedly began banging on doors and windows, claiming to be a police officer. He continued to shout that he was conducting an investigation to ensure no “Mexicans” were illegally residing in the apartment complex. According to Donovan, he had been at the complex days before and had seen a person of Mexican descent outside an apartment with a broken lock and rolled-up mattress. He stated that he wanted to check if that individual was still in the apartment.
The police who arrived at the scene proceeded to search Donovan and discovered a loaded 9mm handgun and a pocketknife on his person. When officers attempted to arrest him, Donovan reportedly insisted that they could not arrest him because he was a law enforcement officer. Despite his claims, he was taken into custody and charged with impersonating an officer.
Donovan remains in the Orange County Jail as of Thursday afternoon, facing charges for falsely impersonating an officer. His bond was set at $1,000, and he has also been prohibited from returning to the Sabal Palm apartment complex. Authorities are continuing to investigate the situation, and additional charges or information may emerge as the case progresses.
This incident highlights the growing concerns surrounding impersonation crimes and the potential danger posed by individuals who pose as law enforcement officers. While Donovan’s actions were quickly exposed, the situation serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying the identities of individuals who claim to have law enforcement authority. Law enforcement officials continue to encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior to ensure public safety.
