Criminal Charges After Owner Of ‘Booty Patrol’ Truck Impersonates Law Enforcement
In October, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office drew attention to a peculiar case on Facebook involving a truck adorned with lights and decals, deemed to be “impersonating law enforcement.” The truck, labeled “Booty Patrol,” bore a striking resemblance to a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle, according to deputies.
Upon encountering the vehicle, deputies issued a $113 traffic citation to the driver, identified as 18-year-old Gabriel Luviano-Renteria from Bradenton. Subsequently, criminal charges were filed against him, leading to a scheduled court appearance on January 10, 2024. The charges include fraud impersonation/unlawful use of a police badge and obstructing police/unlawful use of blue lights, both classified as first-degree misdemeanors.
Details from an affidavit by the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office outlined the events that led to the citation and subsequent criminal charges. On October 29, deputies patrolling the Mosaic Arena observed the truck in question with red and blue flashing lights in its grill. Mistaking it for a law enforcement vehicle, they approached, prompting the truck to swiftly leave the parking lot, triggering a BOLO (Be On the Lookout) alert.
A deputy noted that the vehicle’s paint scheme resembled that of a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol vehicle. Later, a traffic stop was conducted on Gibson Street, where Luviano-Renteria was informed of the illegal police lights and issued a citation. Upon further investigation, dash and bodycam footage revealed that the “Booty Patrol” decals matched those on Border Patrol vehicles.
The deputy, finding evidence of the teen’s use of the vehicle for social media attention, requested the State Attorney’s Office to review the case. Consequently, on November 21, a criminal summons was filed against Luviano-Renteria. Notably, he had paid the $113 citation a week prior to the criminal charges.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office urged individuals with information or those who have encountered the “Booty Patrol” to contact them at 863-993-4700.
