Donald Doolittle, the safety director for Gateway Community Church in Webster, is facing a felony impersonation charge after allegedly pretending to be an ICE agent in an attempt to coerce a woman for money.
According to the Harris County district clerk, Doolittle is accused of impersonating an ICE agent after receiving a massage.
The Houston Police Department says that after the massage, he attempted to pay with a credit card. When the woman—identified as Rita Dumont Mayans—informed him that the establishment didn’t take credit cards, Doolittle allegedly displayed a card that read “ICE” and demanded money. He also allegedly threatened her with deportation if she didn’t comply.
Doolittle has since been arrested and is now facing a felony charge of impersonating a public servant.
According to an affidavit, Doolittle has worked part-time at Gateway Community Church for 10 years. The church’s website only lists its current pastors, but internet archives show that Doolittle was still listed as recently as May of this year.
On Sunday, lead pastor Jason Smith addressed the situation to the congregation, emphasizing the need to keep everyone involved in prayer.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, said in a statement, “Anyone caught impersonating a federal immigration agent will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Impersonating a federal immigration officer endangers public safety and erodes trust in law enforcement.”
