A Los Angeles-area man faces 28 criminal counts, including 23 felony charges, after allegedly posing as a firefighter during the deadly Palisades Fire in January, authorities confirmed July 17.
Steve Farzam, 46, of Brentwood pleaded not guilty on July 17. He is being held without bail, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities say the alleged crimes occurred from 2023 to May 2025, including impersonating a firefighter during the Palisades Fire, assaulting a first responder, and pointing a laser at an aircraft during the fire.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said the investigation began earlier this year when detectives started receiving reports of commercial aircraft and helicopters being targeted by a laser. Pointing lasers at aircraft is illegal because it can blind pilots.
Investigators with the department’s Major Crimes Division, assisted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, served warrants at Farzam’s residences in West Los Angeles and arrested him July 16, according to the LAPD.
Police recovered items of evidence, including two utility vehicles with California exempt license plates.
They also found and removed radios, first responder identifications, a fire engine, multiple rounds of ammunition, police and fire lighting equipment for vehicles, and other first responder paraphernalia, according to the LAPD.
Allegedly fraudulent documents showed the fire engine was registered to the San Muerte Fire Department, which doesn’t exist.
Farzam’s listed attorney, Elizabeth Stewart Little, did not return a request for comment by publication time.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman claimed Farzam “put lives at risk.”
“This defendant’s alleged actions reflect a disturbing pattern of lawlessness and disregard for public safety,” Hochman said in a statement July 17. “Over the course of more than a year, he is accused of repeatedly putting lives at risk.
“If proven, this type of escalating conduct undermines the integrity of our emergency response systems and erodes public trust, and we will use every legal tool available to hold the defendant accountable,” Hochman added.
According to Hochman’s office, Farzam allegedly posed as a firefighter during the Palisades Fire on Jan. 16. Prosecutors say he was allegedly given access to restricted emergency zones and interfered with emergency operations.
Fire personnel respond to homes destroyed while a helicopter drops water as the Palisades Fire grows in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)
The district attorney’s office also alleged in the court filing that Farzam used his fake firefighter identity to obtain government-issued exempt license plates, enter the fire zone, and acquire firearms reserved for law enforcement.
The felony charges include six counts of discharging a laser at an aircraft, three counts of assault with a deadly or dangerous weapon, four counts of assault upon a peace officer, one count of impersonation of a public officer, and one count of carrying a loaded unregistered handgun in a vehicle.
Farzam also faces seven felony counts of perjury and one count of procuring and offering a false or forged instrument. The misdemeanor charges include two counts of impersonating a fire officer and three counts of trespassing on closed lands.
A preliminary hearing is set for July 28.
If convicted as charged, Farzam faces up to 23 years and 10 months in state prison.
