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| Federal Imposter Arrested |
| 2003-03-13 |
| The Diplomatic Security Service has arrested a Brazilian living in Chicago on charges he posed as one of their officers while attempting to board a flight to Washington D.C., sources told ABCNEWS. The man, identified as Marcello Benati, flashed a fake DSS badge to a United Airlines supervisor in February, asking for his help to board an alternate American Airlines flight out of Miami. Benati claimed he was in a hurry to pick up a dignitary in D.C., federal officials told ABCNEWS. Benati was traveling with another, unidentified white male who showed the same fake security identification. Both men were armed, according to the United Airlines supervisor. Investigators discovered Benati's false cover when his wallet was discovered later in the month in a clothing store in Dallas, sparking an investigation involving the FBI's Joint Terrorist Task force. They didn't know he was a phoney until after the badge was found and it was turned over to the real DSS. Notice that they don't say that United most likely let these two armed imposters on the plane! The wallet contained a metal badge bearing "DSS Special Agent" with the official United States seal in the center, and an adjoining identification displaying the agency name as "DSS-Dignitary Security Service." DSS actually stands for Diplomatic Security Service, and is an investigative arm of the U.S. Department of State. Also enclosed in the wallet, was the United Airline supervisor's business card. The DSS began their investigation when the badge was brought to a resident office. Benati is a Brazilian immigrant who has no previous criminal or FBI record. Investigators believe he did, however, violate the terms of his visa. You think!!!!! Well, we are talking about State now. Sources said Benati has a $571,500 home in Chicago, and has a 1994 Camry, 1993 Lexus and 1974 Jaguar registered to his name, as well as a 1997 Mecedes Benz registered to a previous address. I see this list and I think "Drug smuggler". DSS would be a real nice cover for that. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #2 Yet the Secret Service guy who was a Muslim had to fill out paperwork and had them call HQ and still he couldn't board with his gun. And all these guys had to do was flash a badge? And I can't carry nail clippers on a plane! |
| Posted by: Chuck 2003-03-13 14:51:22 |
| #1 The DEA is probably going to have some decent wheels and a crib in the very near future.... |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2003-03-13 14:11:48 |