GALVESTON, Texas – New details are emerging after Galveston police arrested a man accused of impersonating a federal immigration agent, thanks in part to quick-thinking witnesses who say they caught on when something didn’t feel right.
Police arrested 44-year-old Joshua Warner on December 22, charging him with two counts of impersonating an officer. Investigators now believe there may be additional victims and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
KPRC 2 News Reporter Corley Peel spoke with the witnesses who say they helped expose Warner’s alleged actions.
Witnesses Spot Red Flags
The witnesses, Robert Harvey who runs the Harvey Freebird page and Bruce Rebmann with the Galveston Island Transparency Channel, run popular social media channels where they record police activity and interactions in Galveston. On November 9, Harvey was live streaming when he noticed what appeared to be two people being detained near a credit union parking lot off 24th Street.
Almost immediately, Harvey said several details raised red flags about the officer at the scene.
“First it was no police car,” Harvey said. “Then it was his uniform. I’ve never seen police in a uniform like that. His tool belt and all of his stuff—it looked like it had just come in from Temu or Amazon or something.”
In Harvey’s livestream, he questions the man wearing the uniform.
“Name and badge number—you’re not a real cop!”
Confrontation Caught on Camera
As Harvey and Rebmann approached the scene, Warner allegedly told the two men he had stopped that they were free to go. Harvey then confronted him directly, asking for his name and badge number.
“The fact that he wouldn’t give me a name and badge number was another red flag,” Harvey said.
Video shows Warner retrieving what appeared to be a badge from his car. Harvey claims Warner then struck Rebmann in the face with it. The witnesses reported the incident to police nearby.
Arrest and Investigation
Detectives later identified the suspect as 44-year-old Joshua Warner, of Galveston, who investigators determined had identified himself to witnesses as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.
Based on evidence gathered during the investigation, probable cause was established, and arrest warrants were obtained.
When officers arrested Warner at his home on December 22, they reportedly found:
- A fake law enforcement badge
- A fake identification card
- A vehicle that resembled an unmarked patrol car, which was seized
“We were very pleased that they took it seriously and did an investigation and arrested this guy,” Harvey said.
What to Do If You’re Unsure About a Traffic Stop
Police remind the public that if they are ever stopped by someone claiming to be with ICE or another law enforcement agency and have concerns about their legitimacy, they should:
- Ask for the officer’s badge and identification
- Call 911 to confirm the stop is legitimate
Call for Additional Victims
Joshua Warner remains in the Galveston County Jail, held on a $500,000 bond for two counts of impersonating an officer.
The Galveston Police Department is asking anyone with additional information — or anyone who believes they may have been unlawfully detained by Warner - to contact the department at 409-765-3736