Thread: Federal agent arrested for exposing self

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Federal agent arrested for exposing self
Henry Pierson Curtis
Sentinel Staff Writer

October 26, 2005, 3:36 PM EDT

The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Central Florida was arrested late Tuesday after exposing himself to a 16-year-old girl, according to Orlando police.

Frank Figueroa, head of ICE's Tampa office, began fondling himself after catching the teen's eye in the upscale Millenia Mall an arrest report states.

"The nature of Figueroa's actions do corrupt the public morals and outrage the sense of public decency," the report states. "Due to the small children in the area...Figueroa's actions did create a threat to the safety and well being of others."

Charged with exposure of sexual organs and disorderly conduct in a public food establishment, Figueroa, 49, was booked into the Orange County Jail.

He bonded out within hours.

ICE suspended Figueroa today when it learned of his arrest.

"Immigration and Customs Enforcement takes any allegation of wrongdoing by its employees seriously and thoroughly investigates such allegations, ICE spokeswoman Pam McCullough said this afternoon. "ICE has placed Mr. Figueroa on administrative leave and launched an internal investigation into this matter.

Figueroa could not be reached.

The arrest of the top federal law enforcement official placed Orlando police in an unenviable position, given the agency's close working relationship with ICE at Orlando International Airport.

"These types of cases are very difficult for both agencies but the law is the law," said police spokeswoman Sgt. Barbara Jones. "Laws apply to everybody, and the judicial system will have to proceed just like it would with anyone in the private sector. That's the way it is."

The jail mug shot of the 29-year law enforcement veteran had not been released by mid-afternoon today, because the Orange County Sheriff's Office was researching whether state Public Records law allowed its release.

Long regarded as a rising star and a by-the-book administrator, Figueroa took command of ICE operations in Central Florida six weeks ago after serving in top posts in Washington, Miami and San Juan .

Last week, Figueroa's agents busted a prostitution ring exploiting illegal immigrants from Latin America. He promised to vigorously pursue such sex crimes in a statement issued with U.S. Attorney Paul Perez.

His own arrest report states that Millenia Mall security cameras filmed Figueroa as he sat across from the teen. Police did not identify the teen because she is considered a victim of a sex crime.

The teen described the federal agent's actions as "the most disgusting thing I have ever seen." She said Figueroa, who was wearing shorts, exposed himself and masturbated for about 10 minutes before she left, found her mother and summoned security.

The security film shows that Figueroa switched tables after the teen left for a new seat facing other customers. "After he is seated, Figueroa's hands move to his lap," the report states.

In a lengthy interview a week ago Sunday, Figueroa discussed his management style with the Tampa Tribune as well as his wardrobe and how he came to be Agent 007.

"I am here to enforce the agenda of the department," he said. "Either get on the train or find a new one."

Colleagues described what Figueroa considers casual attire as a $1,000 suit, a collarless shirt and a gold chain. In a recent posting in Washington, it took co-workers several months to convince him could dress down while working on anti-terrorism financing task force.

Assigned to Miami in the early 1980s, the former New Yorker from the South Bronx arrived in South Florida dressed like an extra for Miami Vice, a popular police show.

"We had to convince him that it was only a TV show," a retired Customs agent told the newspaper. "He didn't have to look like Crockett and Tubbs all the time."

Figueroa and other top agents were allowed to pick their own badge numbers when his old agency, U.S. Customs, joined with Immigration and Naturalization Services to form ICE after Sept. 11, 2001.

Figueroa chose to become Agent 007 but told the Tampa Tribune that he's not a fan of the James Bond character in Ian Fleming spy novels. He chose 007, he told the newspaper, because it was close to his old badge number 777.

Scott Ritter eat your heart out!