Accusations of Santa Clarita Valley residents taking part in a fake police organization took another strange twist Wednesday, after Attorney General Kamala Harris put a DOJ staffer on leave in response to the charges.

The administrative change came after Sheriff’s Department officials announced how the Masonic Fraternal Police Department and “Chief Deputy Director Brandon Kiel” requested meetings with local law enforcement officials, triggering the investigation into their allegedly fake police department.

Kiel “works for Department of Justice but is on administrative leave,” according to Harris’ press secretary Kristin Ford, when reached for comment on the move. “We cannot comment on the ongoing personnel matter or criminal investigation.”

Kiel is listed as deputy director for community affairs for the state’s Department of Justice, in a past report from the Attorney General’s Office.

The effort to uncover the alleged claims of a fake police department apparently started with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, according to department officials.

Letters from the “Masonic Fraternal Police Department” were sent to various law enforcement agency officials, such as Capt. Roosevelt Johnson with local Sheriff’s Station, according to a Nixle news release.

The letters announce the election of “Chief Henry” to Chief of the MFPD, which immediately created suspicion and confusion within the law enforcement community, the Nixle reports.

Shortly after law enforcement agencies began receiving letters, many began receiving calls from an individual who identified himself as “Chief Henry, ” according to detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. They  began their involvement with this investigation after a meeting was scheduled with Johnson.

During Johnson’s meeting with members of MFPD, his suspicions were aroused when they could not answer basic questions about MFPD’s jurisdiction and overall department mission.

The group claimed that they were descendants of the “Knights Templar,” and that their police agency had been in existence for 3,000 years. Additionally, they claimed that MFPD had sovereign jurisdiction in 33 states, and across the border in Mexico.

Detectives conducted a thorough investigation in collaboration with several law enforcement agencies and determined MFPD was not a legitimate police agency.

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau  deputies served search and arrest warrants in the 28000 block of Linda Vista Street and the 17000 Block of Sierra Highway.

During the search of the above two locations, detectives recovered badges, identification cards, weapons, uniforms, police type vehicles and other law enforcement equipment.

Harris recently announced a bid to run for Senate in 2016.

From a previous story:

Prosecutors Accuse 3 Of Creating Fake Police Department

A website for the group lists the following information:

“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.”

A website identifies the group’s “chief of police” as “Chief Henry.”

The group’s website also claims to have deeper roots than “other police departments,” because it was “here first.” The organization’s page claims to have a headquarters in Beverly Hills. A call to an 818 number listed there was not answered.

Henry could face six charges: three counts of perjury pertaining to alleged claims over the fictitious police department, and three counts of impersonating an officer.

Hayes and Kiel could face six charges, with  five counts of impersonating an officer, and another count citing unlawful use of identity.

All three were released on various bail amounts and due back in court to answer to the charges.

This case is still under active investigation and detectives are asking the public’s assistance and encourage those with information to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Emergency Operations Bureau – Sheriff’s Intelligence Unit, Detective Amalia Hernandez at (323) 980-2211.  If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.