Dodge Center man pleads guilty to impersonating a federal officer, firearms charge

A Dodge County man has pleaded guilty to impersonating a federal officer and illegally possessing firearms, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Charles J. Kovats on Friday.

According to court documents, Reyel Devon Simmons, 53, impersonated a U.S. Department of Homeland Security federal agent. An FBI investigation revealed that Simmons used the false name "Rey Reeves", and regularly posed as a federal agent on social media.

Authorities said Simmons isn’t, and never has been, employed by Homeland Security.

Court filings also stated that during the Sept. 20, 2021 arrest of Simmons, police found a "go bag" that bore the departmental emblem of the Department of Homeland Security, and it contained a handgun, a fake Department of Homeland Security badge as well as other items related to Simmons’ supposed service in law enforcement and military.

A search warrant was executed at Simmons’ residence and authorities also found seven firearms, silencers/suppressors, a suspected detonating cord and a suspected blasting cap. Thousands of rounds of ammunition, body armor and other law enforcement style badges and identification documents were also found at Simmons’ residence.

Kovats stated Simmons has a prior felony conviction in Colorado, and is prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition, or explosives.

Simmons pleaded guilty on Friday to impersonating a federal officer and to one count of possessing firearms as a felon.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled for a later date.