Credit: Joseph V. Labolito, Temple University
Two people, posing as U.S. Immigration and Code Enforcement (ICE) agents, and a third individual who was videotaping them, entered a business on Temple University's campus Saturday night and created a disturbance.
This led to one Temple student being taken into custody on Sunday. Both Temple University Police and Philadelphia police continue to investigate.
The student, Aidan Steigelmann, 22, was charged with impersonating a public servant and has been placed on an interim suspension by the school while the investigation is ongoing. He is a 2021 graduate of Wissahickon High School in Ambler.
Temple student Aidan Steigelmann, charged with impersonating a public servant (Credit: Temple University Police)
According to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer, two males wore shirts that said "ICE" and "Police" when walking into Insomnia Cookies on the 1300 block of Cecil B. Moore Avenue while a third male filmed them.
In a statement issued by the University attributed to Jennifer Griffin, vice president for public safety and chief of police, and Jodi Bailey Accavallo, vice president of student affairs, the school condemned the stunt.
"Impersonating law enforcement is a crime. This behavior and harassment of Temple community members will not be tolerated," the statement read.
This incident came after University president John Fry sent a letter to Temple students and colleagues last week that said there was no reports of ICE activity on Temple's campus despite rumors to the contrary.
According to the report, the three individuals initially tried to enter a residence hall on campus, but were denied entry.
Temple University police used campus cameras to monitor the movements of the three individuals and be able to identify them, leading to the taking into custody of the Temple student.
It was not known at the time of publication if the other two males were affiliated with Temple in any way, or if their identities or whereabouts where known to authorities.
However Temple police did release the following image to the public of one of the other two males sought in this incident:
Person of interest in ICE impersonation matter at Temple University (credit: Temple University police)Anyone with information about the incident or who can identify the photo above are being asked to contact Temple Police at 215-204-1234, or via email at [email protected].
Information from Fox 29 was used in this report.
