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Deputies arrest man posing as FBI agent

Staff report

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – A man posing as a U.S. Marine, an Iraq war veteran, an FBI agent and a detective with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, among other things was arrested in South Lake Tahoe Thursday.

John William Rodriguez, 31, is wanted by Arizona authorities for 12 counts of fraud and forgery. Detectives from the Arizona Department of Public Safety located Rodriguez in the South Lake Tahoe area and asked El Dorado County Sheriff’s detectives to assist in aprehending him.

In addition to misrepresenting himself, Rodriguez often wore the uniform of a U.S. Marine, gained access to military installations and attended functions such as the Marine Corps Ball.



El Dorado County Sheriff’s detectives learned Thursday that Rodriguez was living at a home on Eloise Avenue. After a day-long investigation and surveillance, Rodriguez was taken into custody without incident. Rodriguez was booked at the South Lake Tahoe jail for a local misdemeanor warrant as well as a no bail felony fugitive warrant from the State of Arizona.

Since starting this investigation, El Dorado County Sheriff’s detectives learned Rodriguez has been engaging in similar fraudulent activities while living here in the Tahoe area, according to a release from Lt. Les Lovell. Rodriguez befriended numerous people in the South Lake Tahoe area and might have used his scam to defraud his new friends, Lovell added.



Detectives are currently investigating these leads to determine what additional charges, if any, might be filed against Rodriguez in El Dorado County.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone familiar with Rodriguez to please contact Detective Matt Harwood at (530) 573-3015.


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