LOS ANGELES (September 14, 2006) — A man who is alleged to have falsely identified himself as a federal homeland security agent in hopes of being hired as a bodyguard for Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie has been arrested on suspicion of fraud today, CNS reports.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has stated that 46-year old Nelson Mercado approached Pitt and Jolie’s security firm, Sunset Protective Services and Investigations claiming that he was a special agent who did bodyguard work on the side for athletes and entertainers.
Mercado allegedly carried false credentials and drove a Ford Crown Victoria with tinted windows. He added to the ruse by allegedly carrying a police light package fraudulently registered to “US Department of Homeland Security of America.”
Fortunately, Sunset Protective Services and Investigations did not hire Mercado. It is not known what tipped them off, but the alleged sham, beginning on or about August 2005 to May 18, 2006, was discovered and he is now expected to make his initial appearance in federal court in Santa Ana tomorrow on the charge of impersonating a federal agent for financial gain.
If convicted, he faces up to three years in federal prison.
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