LOS ANGELES (AP) - Three people, one an aide to California Attorney General Kamala Harris, were arrested after claiming to operate a police department with jurisdiction in 33 states and Mexico and that traces its roots back 3,000 years.
Brandon Kiel, David Henry and Tonette Hayes were taken into custody last week on suspicion of impersonating officers as members of the Masonic Fraternal Police Department, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said detectives believe other people may be involved in the operation and deputies found ID cards, uniforms, and vehicles that appeared to look like law enforcement vehicles along with other official police equipment during their search of a home and office linked to the group.
It's not clear whether any of the suspects attempted to do any real police work.
State records show Hayes is licensed as a security guard and has a firearm permit. She previously owned Masonic Security Service, while she and Henry run MIB Investigative Agency, though its state license is suspended.
Kiel, 31, worked as deputy director of community affairs at the California Department of Justice since July 2013. He has been on paid administrative leave from his $67,416-a-year civil service job since Thursday.
Kiel, Henry, 46, and Hayes, 59, were arrested April 30 and released later that day.