A man accused of posing as a Fake ICE agent is facing a long list of charges after police say he broke into a Beltzhoover home, threatened a teenager, and fought with officers who tried to arrest him. The chaotic incident unfolded Saturday night in a neighborhood on Climax Street, rattling a residential neighborhood that is more accustomed to quiet evenings than sudden violence.
According to Pittsburgh police, the break‑in began when William Gregory, 35, smashed through a kitchen window of the home. The sound of shattering glass sent the occupants scrambling, unsure of who had entered or why. Investigators said Gregory ran upstairs immediately after climbing inside, shouting that he was an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. He demanded to see the family’s “paperwork,” insisting he was there on official business.
Authorities later confirmed that Gregory had no connection to federal law enforcement. His claim of being an ICE officer was entirely fabricated, and police described him as a Fake ICE agent who used the false identity to intimidate the residents.
A Bizarre and Frightening Encounter
The criminal complaint states that Gregory pulled out a pocketknife during the confrontation and threatened to stab a 17‑year‑old inside the home. The teen told police he feared for his life as the intruder continued shouting and behaving erratically. At one point, Gregory allegedly tried to disconnect a PlayStation console and grab the teen’s cellphone, appearing to shift from impersonating an officer to attempting a robbery.
The mix of threats, demands, and unpredictable behavior left the family terrified. What began as a supposed law‑enforcement encounter quickly revealed itself as a dangerous home invasion.
Teen Fights Back Against the Fake ICE Agent
Despite the fear and confusion, the 17‑year‑old refused to be overpowered. A struggle broke out as the teen tried to stop Gregory from taking the electronics. During the fight, the juvenile suffered minor injuries to his ankle and hand, but he managed to strike Gregory in the face with a nearby object. The blow knocked the intruder unconscious.
Dispatchers relayed the update to officers while they were still on their way: the suspect, acting as the fake ice agent, was down, and the teen had defended himself successfully. When police arrived, they found Gregory lying on the floor and the juvenile standing nearby, shaken but safe.
Suspect Resists Arrest After Regaining Consciousness
The situation escalated again when Gregory regained consciousness. As officers attempted to handcuff him, he began resisting, pulling away, and refusing to follow commands. Police said the struggle continued until officers deployed a Taser to subdue him. Even then, Gregory continued to fight, requiring several officers to bring him under control.
Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene. Paramedics sedated Gregory, who appeared intoxicated and possibly under the influence of drugs, before transporting him to Mercy Hospital for evaluation.
Outstanding Warrants and New Charges
Investigators later learned that Gregory had multiple outstanding warrants, including previous charges related to burglary and firearm possession. His latest arrest adds a new list of charges, including burglary, ethnic intimidation, impersonating a public official, and resisting arrest. Police said the ethnic‑intimidation charge stems from his actions and statements while posing as a Fake ICE agent.
Gregory is currently being held in the Allegheny County Jail as the case moves forward.
Community Impact
Neighbors said the break‑in left them unsettled, especially because the suspect impersonated a fake ICE agent to gain control. For the family involved, the night will likely be remembered for both the fear it caused and the courage shown by the teenager who fought back.
Police continue to investigate the incident.
