Convicted Felon Indicted for Impersonating DEA Agent and Possessing Firearm

ORLANDO—Acting United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Benjamin William Mejias (41, Orlando) with impersonating a federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. If convicted on all counts, Mejias faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, Mejias has three previous state felony convictions, each for burglary of a dwelling, any one of which precludes him from possessing a firearm or ammunition. This investigation revealed that Mejias had been telling people, including Orlando Police officers, that he had been a DEA agent for over 20 years and had allegedly collected a $2,000 donation from an Orlando businessman on behalf of an agents’ association. Agents also learned that Mejias had posted photos of himself with a variety of firearms on social media sites. When agents executed a search warrant at Mejias’ home on October 11, 2013, they found a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol, and he was arrested. Mejias has remained in custody since his arrest.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce Ambrose.