Aide to California state attorney accused of running an occult police force claiming to be 3,000 years old
Brandon Kiel, deputy director of community affairs at the California Department of Justice, and two others - David Henry and Tonette Hayes - reportedly face charges for their roles in the Masonic Fraternal Police Department.
"Suspicions about the Masonic Fraternal Police Department - whose members trace their origins to the Knights Templar - were aroused when various police chiefs in Southern California received a letter in late January that announced new leadership for the group," the Times' Matt Hamilton wrote.
"Following an investigation, officials said, sheriff's investigators searched two sites in Santa Clarita and found badges, weapons, uniforms and law enforcement paraphernalia."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's department said in a statement that the Masonic Fraternal Police Department was not a legitimate police force and Kiel, Henry, and Hayes were arrested for allegedly impersonating police officers.
"Detectives conducted a thorough investigation in collaboration with several law enforcement agencies and determined MFPD was not a legitimate police agency," the sheriff's department said in a statement, according to NBC News.
The Times called attention to a website purporting to represent the Masonic department. The site claims the police department is widely respected and operates in 33 states.
"The Masonic Fraternal Organization is the oldest and most respected organization in the 'World.' Grand Masters around the various states are facing serious safety concerns for their Jurisdictions and their family members. The first Police Department was created by the 'Knights Templar's' back in 1100 B.C.," the site says. "When asked what is the difference between The Masonic Fraternal Police Department and other Police Departments the answer is simple for us. We were here first!"
Harris is the Democratic front-runner to replace Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-California) in 2016. Her office declined to comment to the Times but said Kiel had been placed on administrative leave.
Last updated with additional context 9:42 a.m.