PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A Philadelphia man has been indicted for impersonating a federal officer on multiple occasions including during last spring's deadly Amtrak derailment in Port Richmond.
37-year-old Michael Alvaro was charged Tuesday with impersonation of a federal officer, impersonator conducting a search, and possession of unregistered firearms, United States Attorney Zane David Memeger announced.
The indictment alleges that on or around November 17, 2014, Alvaro identified himself as a federal law enforcement officer of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). According to the indictment, Alvaro assisted in detaining a person and searched that person's vehicle.
The indictment alleges Alvaro pretended to be a DEA officer again on February 11, 2015, and attempted to obtain information regarding a homicide investigation.
On May 12, 2015, Alvaro identified himself as a federal law enforcement officer of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in order to gain access to a secured area of the Amtrak derailment, the indictment alleges.
The indictment further alleges that Alvaro unlawfully possessed unregistered firearms.
If convicted, Alvaro faces a maximum possible sentence of 29 years in prison, possible fine, special assessment of $500, and up to three years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Denise S. Wolf.
Philadelphia man indicted for impersonating officer at Amtrak derailment
