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Taherzadeh and Ali - Affidavit
Taherzadeh and Ali - Affidavit
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AND ARREST WARRANTS
I, David Elias, being first duly sworn, hereby depose and state as follows:
INTRODUCTION
1. I am a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and have been
so employed since August 2021. Prior to this date, I worked as a felony prosecutor in Cuyahoga
County, Ohio for over four years. As a prosecutor, I investigated and prosecuted violent crime
and drug-related offenses under state statutes. I am currently assigned to Squad CR-15 of the
FBI’s Washington Field Office, Northern Virginia Resident Agency, and tasked with investigating
allegations of public corruption and fraud. As a Special Agent, I have investigated violations of
federal statutes, including but not limited to public corruption, fraud, and other criminal matters.
In the course of my duties, I have conducted and participated in numerous investigations. Among
other things, I have participated in the execution of arrest and search warrants.
States, and as a law enforcement officer I am authorized to execute arrest warrants issued under
3. This affidavit is submitted for the purpose of establishing probable cause. The facts
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in this affidavit are based on my investigation, personal observations, training, and experience, as
well as information conveyed to me by other law enforcement officials. Because this affidavit is
limited in purpose, it is not intended to include each and every fact and matter observed by me or
PURPOSE OF AFFIDAVIT
(hereinafter “ALI”), with one count of False Impersonation of an Officer of the United States, in
violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 912. This affidavit is also submitted in support
SUMMARY
and ALI, have been falsely assuming and pretending to be officers or employees acting under the
authority of the United States government, specifically the Department of Homeland Security, and
have acted as such. TAHERZADEH and ALI, are not, in fact, employees of the Department of
Homeland Security or any United States government agency. TAHERZADEH and ALI have
represented themselves as such to numerous people, many of whom are members of federal law
enforcement agencies. In furtherance of their false and fraudulent conduct, TAHERZADEH and
ALI obtained paraphernalia with the insignias of and firearms, including handguns and assault
6. During the course of their conduct, TAHERZADEH and ALI have attempted to use
their false and fraudulent affiliation with DHS to ingratiate themselves with members of federal
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law enforcement and the defense community. Specifically, TAHERZADEH has provided
members of the United States Secret Service (USSS) and an employee of DHS with, among other
things, rent-free apartments (with a total yearly rent of over $40,000 per apartment), iPhones,
surveillance systems, a drone, a flat screen television, a case for storing an assault rifle, a generator,
and law enforcement paraphernalia. TAHERZADEH also offered these individuals use of, what
offered to purchase a $2,000 assault rifle for a United Secret Service Agent assigned to the First
Lady’s protective detail. As of April 4, 2022, as a result of this conduct, four members of the
recruited an individual to be an “employee of DHS” and “serve on their task force.” As part of the
“recruitment process” TAHERZADEH and ALI required that the “applicant” be shot with an
Airsoft rifle to evaluate their pain tolerance and reaction. Subsequent to being shot, the applicant
was informed that their hiring was in process. The applicant was also assigned to conduct research
on an individual that provided support to the Department of Defense and intelligence community.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Service (USPS) letter carrier. The apartment complex, located at , is large and
contains multiple units on several floors. During the course of the investigation, the USPIS
inspector learned from individuals living at the apartment complex that two individuals, Arian
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TAHERZADEH and Haider ALI, who represent themselves as Department of Homeland Security
9. The USPIS inspector then interviewed TAHERZADEH and ALI. Both individuals
also self-identified as investigators with the U.S. Special Police Investigation Unit (USSP). ALI
identified the USSP as part of DHS. Furthermore, ALI identified TAHERZADEH as an HSI
Special Agent. TAHERZADEH and ALI identified themselves as deputized “special police” with
the city government of the District of Columbia. TAHERZADEH and ALI claimed to be involved
10. The USPIS inspector also learned from other residents at that
TAHERZADEH and ALI utilize several apartments in the complex. TAHERZADEH and ALI
told these residents that these apartments were being paid for by DHS.
11. The USPIS inspector was also informed that both individuals utilize a black GMC
SUV and describe it as their “official DHS vehicle.” According to residents, this vehicle is
12. The USPIS inspector was also informed by residents that TAHERZADEH and ALI
Furthermore, TAHERZADEH and ALI represented to residents at the apartment complex that they
can access, at any time, the cellular telephones of residents of the apartment complex. These
residents stated that they believe that TAHERZADEH and ALI had access to personal information
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13. The USPIS inspector determined that TAHERZADEH and ALI were in regular
contact with several members of the USSS, who also reside at . These USSS
Agents were members of both the Uniformed and Protection divisions. The USPIS inspector
learned that TAHERZADEH and ALI had provided gifts to the USSS Agents and their families,
including, among other things, the use of their GMC SUV. Additionally, TAHERZADEH offered
14. The USPIS Inspector provided this information to the DHS Office of Inspector
General, which then referred the information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for
further investigation. It was at this point that the FBI began its investigation, which corroborated
Witness 1
Special Agent with HSI. TAHERZADEH represented that ALI was affiliated with HSI, but had
no arrest powers.
17. Witness 1 has seen TAHERZADEH’S DHS/HSI badge as well as credentials from
USSP.
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20. TAHERZADEH also showed Witness 1 a “HSI casefile” of a person
to Witness 1, because he/she believed that TAHERZADEH was an employee of HSI, he/she
agreed to pursue DHS/HSI employment through him. TAHERZADEH represented that he had
started the process of hiring Witness 1 as an employee of DHS/HSI and that he also had authority
conduct research into an individual who worked for the United States government as a contractor.
Specifically, this individual provided support to the Department of Defense and Intelligence
Community.
23. Further, TAHERZADEH told Witness 1 that as part of the recruiting process,
TAHERZADEH would have to shoot Witness 1 with an air rifle in order to evaluate Witness 1’s
reaction and pain tolerance. According to Witness 1, because he/she believed this was part of the
DHS/HSI recruiting process he/she agreed to be shot and subsequently was shot by
Witness 2
24. Witness 2, a USSS Agent, currently assigned to the First Lady’s protection detail,
represented that he was an HSI Agent and that ALI was an HSI Analyst. Although
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TAHERZADEH was very outspoken about his job with HSI, he claimed that he was part of a
26. According to Witness 2, TAHERZADEH made it clear that he is the “go-to guy” if
a resident needs anything in the building. TAHERZADEH provided gifts or favors for residents,
many of whom were members of law enforcement, including the FBI, USSS, or DHS, or
employees of government agencies, including the Department of Defense and Navy. For instance,
TAHERZADEH previously loaned out his “government vehicle” to Witness 2’s wife, and also
provided her with a generator. TAHERZADEH offered to provide Witness 2 an AR-15 style rifle
Witness 2 stated ALI lives in a separate apartment on the floor below TAHERZADEH.
28. Witness 2 noted that TAHERZADEH’S primary apartment has numerous security
cameras. TAHERZADEH has shown Witness 2 security footage from various areas of the
apartment complex, indicating that he had gained access to the security system for the entire
apartment complex. Subsequent investigation revealed that many residents in this apartment
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30. Witness 2 has also seen several other photos of TAHERZADEH in police tactical
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31. TAHERZADEH has sent Witness 2 several photos of police gear in
TAHERZADEH’S apartment (see below). In the first photo, Pelican cases, which are often used
TAHERZADEH claimed to be an HSI in-service training (see below). The investigation revealed
that the photo TAHERZADEH sent is a stock photo from the internet, and there is no record that
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33. While in TAHERZADEH’s primary residence, Witness 2 saw a Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center (hereinafter “FLETC”) training certificate that he/she believed to be
Witness 2 also observed TAHERZADEH carrying this firearm concealed with an inside-the-
waistband holster. TAHERZADEH told Witness 2 that this was his HSI-issued firearm. Witness
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2 has seen TAHERZADEH wear this firearm in public, outside of his apartment as well as inside
the apartment.
35. On or about February 2, 2022, Witness 2 told TAHERZADEH that on February 17,
2022, Witness 2 would be attending USSS’s Glock transition course. Witness 2’s federal agency
was in the process of transitioning from P229 Sig Sauer to Glock 19 Generation 5 as the issued
service weapon. At some point after Witness 2 had received the issued Glock 19 Generation 5,
TAHERZADEH made a comment “we are all transitioning to the Glock 19’s in DHS.” After
from his appendix area. TAHERZADEH demonstrated that his was identical to Witness 2’s issued
36. On or about the second week of March 2022, TAHERZADEH came to Witness 2’s
that he had an extra holster and wanted to give Witness 2 the Ayin Tactical Holster for Witness
2’s newly issued Glock 19 Generation 5. Witness 2 is still in possession of this holster.
Witness 3
37. Witness 3, a member of the United States Secret Service, Uniformed Division,
TAHERZADEH told Witness 3 that he is currently in a gang unit with DHS, and that
TAHERZADEH used to work in crimes against children. Witness 3 stated that TAHERZADEH’S
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39. TAHERZADEH provided Witness 3 with a rent-free penthouse apartment for
TAHERZADEH paid for another federal law enforcement officer’s rent in the apartment complex.
40. Witness 3 confirmed that TAHERZADEH lives in and has several apartments in
the complex.
41. Witness 3 stated that he/she received an email from what he/she believed to be
TAHERZADEH’S DHS email: [email protected]. Witness 3 also recalled that the email
he/she received from this address has disclaimers regarding receiving information from a federal
agency. Subsequent investigation confirmed that this email address is false and fraudulent, and
TAHERZADEH possessed FLETC training certificates and a Private Identity Verification card,
commonly referred to as a “PIV card,” which TAHERZADEH uses to access a laptop that is
labeled with a “DHS” symbol. Witness 3 stated that he/she saw a federal logon privacy notice
43. Beginning in 2021, Witness 3 observed TAHERZADEH carrying a Glock 19, but
cannot state how recently that occurred. The most recent date possible is January 2022.
44. TAHERZADEH provided Witness 3 with gifts including, an HSI coin and DHS
patch.
45. Witness 3 confirmed that ALI lives in the apartment complex, though he/she could
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Witness 4
46. Witness 4 is a Document Analysis Expert with DHS-HSI and lives in the apartment
47. In or around June of 2021, TAHERZADEH approached Witness 4 and told him/her
he knew Witness 4 was affiliated with HSI or possibly the United States Citizenship Immigration
Service (USCIS), which is in DHS. TAHERZADEH told Witness 4 that he was an HSI Agent but
that he was working undercover. Witness 4 talked to her supervisors about TAHERZADEH and
was unable to verify his information through HSI internal databases. When Witness 4 confronted
TAHERZADEH about this inability to locate his name in the HSI database, TAHERZADEH
claimed that his name was redacted due to his undercover status.
49. TAHERZADEH claimed to Witness 4 that he has a list of all of the federal agents
in the apartment complex. Witness 4 stated that TAHERZADEH has codes to the elevators that
gives him access to every floor, which is beyond what a normal resident possesses.
of law enforcement paraphernalia, including SWAT vests, a large safe, computers, a high-powered
telescope and internal surveillance cameras in his apartment. TAHERZADEH has shown Witness
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Witness 5
51. Witness 5 is a member of the United States Secret Service, Uniformed Division,
assigned to protect the White House complex, and lived in a three-bedroom apartment at
52. Throughout that period, TAHERZADEH provided Witness 5 with a rent-free three-
TAHERZADEH told Witness 5 that HSI had approved extra rooms as part of his operations, and
that Witness 5 could live in one of them for free. The investigation confirmed that there are no
TAHERZADEH told Witness 5 that being a special police officer, part of USSP, was the “front
end” of his HSI task force. Witness 5 has seen TAHERZADEH tell other individuals at
that he is an HSI agent and detail the training to become an HSI agent. Witness 5 has seen
TAHERZADEH interact with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) while wearing HSI
gear. For instance, according to Witness 5, on one occasion MPD responded to the apartment
complex because of a complaint that TAHERZADEH was wearing police equipment. Witness 5
stated that MPD responded to the scene but did not take any action.
54. Witness 5 recalled that TAHERZADEH had a PIV card, which he believes said
DHS on it, and that the background on TAHERZADEH’s computer had “DHS information.”
TAHERZADEH showed Witness 5 an HSI badge and special police officer credentials. Witness
5 said that TAHERZADEH identified himself primarily as DHS/HSI, but he carried the special
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police officer badge on his person more often. Witness 5 has seen DHS/HSI on TAHERZADEH’S
55. Since approximately February 2020, Witness 5 has seen TAHERZADEH carry a
Glock 19 on his person. Prior to the Glock, Witness 5 saw TAHERZADEH with a 226 or 229
handgun. TAHERZADEH would carry the Glock 19 on his belt, both concealed and overt.
Witness 5 has examined these firearms and believed them to be real. Witness 5 also saw live
rounds. Witness 5 has also seen TAHERZADEH shoot a Glock 19 at the gun range. Witness 5
also shot one of TAHERZADEH’S AR-15 style rifles at the gun range. Witness 5 provided a
video of TAHERZADEH using a rifle matching this description at a gun range in Northern
Virginia.
56. Witness 5 has seen TAHERZADEH drive two black “Tahoe” like vehicles and an
computer, cameras, and a gun locker. On the walls of the apartment, Witness 5 saw a FLETC
certificate and “Police 1” certificates. Witness 5 also saw DHS patches, a handgun, a rifle and
Airsoft guns. Witness 5 recalled that the rifle was kept in TAHERZADEH’S office in his primary
residence and that a gun was hidden under a desk in the living room.
Witness 5 recalled seeing police equipment, computer monitors, and a computer server.
TAHERZADEH told Witness 5 that all of this equipment was for use in connection with the HSI
task force.
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59. TAHERZADEH gave Witness 5 gifts, including a drone, a gun locker, and a
Pelican case.
60. Witness 5 stated that TAHERZADEH also rents a number of other apartments in
the building.
61. In or around January 2022, Witness 5 moved out of the rent-free apartment
TAHERZADEH provided him. Witness 5 then observed TAHERZADEH began moving law
62. Witness 5 said that TAHERZADEH has full access to all floors of the apartment
and some restricted areas, and believes TAHERZADEH spoke with management of the apartment
complex and was able to get access to these areas because of his HSI operation. Witness 5 further
stated that TAHERZADEH has a document, which he/she has seen, containing the names and
63. TAHERZADEH told Witness 5 that ALI took care of all administrative issues with
Corporate Records
64. “United Special Police LLC” (USSP) is a Washington, D.C., limited liability
company, with a registered address associated with a residence maintained and controlled by
and protective service headquartered in Washington, D.C. The website goes on to say that USSP
can provide law enforcement, protective services, and investigative services within a contracted
jurisdiction.
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CONCLUSION
66. Based on my training and experience, and the information provided in this affidavit,
there is probable cause to believe that as early as February 2020, in the District of Columbia and
elsewhere, ARIAN TAHERZADEH and HAIDER ALI did falsely assume or pretend to be an
officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States or any department, agency or
officer thereof, and acts as such, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 912.
David Elias
Special Agent
Federal Bureau of Investigation
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