Washington, DC -- June 4, 2022 After being discovered with a phony badge, a BB gun, body armor, high capacity magazines, and other ammunition outside the United States Capitol yesterday morning, a Michigan man was detained.

A US Capitol Police patrol officer began speaking with a man who had parked his 2017 Dodge Challenger at Peace Circle on the West side of the Capitol shortly before 5:00 a.m. Saturday.

Jerome Felipe, 53, of Flint, Michigan, was identified as the suspect. Felipe, a retired New York police officer, gave the USCP officers with a false badge bearing the words "Department of the INTERPOL." Felipe also claimed to be a criminal investigator with the agency, which he was not.

Officers were granted permission to search Felipe's vehicle. A BB gun, two bulletproof vests, multiple high-capacity magazines, and additional ammo were recovered in the car by the authorities. There were no real guns discovered.

Investigators are still trying to figure out why Felipe was parked so close to the US Capitol.

Felipe is accused of illegally possessing high-capacity magazines and unregistered ammunition.

Editor's Note:* A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.


Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington