Oregon couple who posed as firefighters during L.A. wildfires charged, face potential jail time

LOS ANGELES ( KTLA ) — The Oregon couple accused of trying to sneak into a Palisades Fire evacuation zone while impersonating firefighters are facing charges and potential jail time, according to prosecutors.

Dustin Nehl, 31, and Jennifer Nehl, 44, were each arraigned on Wednesday on one misdemeanor charge each, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who announced the charges on Friday. They were charged with fraudulent impersonation of a specific fire personnel, unauthorized activities with respect to badges or related matter, and false representation.

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Deputies with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department detained the couple on Jan. 18 when they tried to enter an evacuation zone in Malibu with a fake fire engine, according to authorities. They were allegedly wearing fake firefighter gear, including Cal Fire shirts, during the encounter.

The department said the couple claimed to be from the “Roaring River Fire Department” in Oregon, which does not exist. The engine they were operating was allegedly purchased at an auction.

“Impersonating first responders endangers the safety of our community and the well-being of those who choose to engage in such reckless behavior, especially during a state of emergency,” said Hochman. “These types of actions can have dire consequences and mislead the public into trusting an unqualified person with responsibilities they are not equipped to handle.”

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Dustin is being held in jail on $30,000 bail. Jennifer was released due to her lack of a criminal history, the DA’s Office said…

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