Minneapolis Man Pleads Guilty to Impersonating an FBI Agent about a Fake Terrorism Investigation Concerning Victim’s Household

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A Minneapolis man pleaded guilty today to impersonating a federal officer, announced Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk.

According to court documents, on July 24, 2017, Bernard Holmes, 66, pretended to be a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Holmes spoofed his telephone number to make it appear that he was calling his victim from the FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office. Holmes provided the victim with his purported name, “FBI Special Agent John Tidwell,” and alleged FBI badge number. Holmes falsely stated that he was investigating terrorism-related conduct involving the victim's household, including terrorism evidence that supposedly originated from a computer and IP address at the victim's house. In his fake capacity, Holmes asked questions of the victim in furtherance of the supposed terrorism investigation. 

Holmes pleaded guilty today to one count of impersonating a federal officer before U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Bloomington Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert is prosecuting the case.

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