Feds, Local Law Enforcement Launch Wildfires Task Force

Leaders of federal and local law enforcement agencies have partnered to create a joint task force to investigate and prosecute fire-related crimes — including arson, looting, burglary, fraud and illegal drones — as Los Angeles County recovers from devastating wildfires, it was announced Wednesday.

The Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force will focus on investigating and prosecuting people who try to exploit the wildfire crisis, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The task force includes representatives of the U.S. Attorney’s Office; the FBI; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office; the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office; the Los Angeles Police Department; and the county Sheriff’s Department.

Members of the group will coordinate to discuss leads, develop and share crime intelligence, and facilitate the prosecution of fire-related crimes.

Authorities said the task force will focus on four areas:

• looting, burglary and impersonation offenses;
• arson;
• illegal drone activity; and
• financial fraud targeting disaster victims and people trying to make charitable donations.

“We will not permit victims to be re-victimized,” U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in a statement. “Our community has suffered tremendously, and we are here to support them. The Joint Fire Crimes Task Force is committed to addressing crimes coming out of the fires, including any looting, arson, illegal drone flights and fraud. As the rebuilding process begins and donations and relief funds come in, we must ensure that those seeking to take advantage through criminal activity are held fully accountable.”