HOUSTON — A church employee has been accused of posing as an ICE agent to extort money from a massage worker. Donald Doolittle, 58, a safety director at Gateway Community Church in southeast Houston, was charged with impersonating a public servant.
Police say Doolittle booked a massage from the woman, but when it came time to pay, he allegedly tried to pay with a credit card. The worker reportedly only accepted cash or Zelle, prompting Doolittle to present an ID card labeled ICE, claiming he was an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.
Authorities say he demanded to see the woman’s identification, and after seeing her temporary visa, allegedly demanded $500 via Zelle, threatening that she would otherwise be detained and never see her family again. The victim reportedly complied and sent the money.
Doolittle allegedly told her she would not hear from ICE again because he had marked her case for non-prosecution and instructed her to delete their text messages. The alleged crime came to light after the victim reported it to police the following day.
When questioned by investigators, Doolittle denied receiving a massage or visiting the victim’s business, though surveillance footage contradicted his claims, police said.
The FBI has warned that rising impersonation incidents have caused fear and confusion. They urged immigration agencies to ensure agents clearly identify themselves and allow verification when requested.
The warning follows other recent incidents, including:
Three men in New York posing as ICE agents, tying up a restaurant worker, and robbing an ATM.
Cybercriminals posing as ICE, demanding ransomware payments.
FTC reports of scammers threatening deportation or police involvement to extract personal information.
Officials emphasize vigilance, advising the public to verify any law enforcement credentials and report suspicious activity immediately.
