A tow truck driver in Los Angeles is facing federal charges for towing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle on August 15. If found guilty, he could spend up to 10 years in prison.
Bobby Nunez reportedly laughed and filmed himself as he towed a vehicle belonging to ICE agents, according to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital. At the time, the agents were conducting an operation to arrest an illegal immigrant. Their emergency lights were flashing while they boxed in the target’s vehicle to prevent her escape.
“Apparently he thought it would be funny to interfere with our immigration enforcement operations. Now he can laugh behind bars while he faces justice. Nunez is looking at up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted,” Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli wrote on X on Tuesday.
Nunez is also accused of using the illegal immigrant’s car door to hit an officer with the passenger side door. A video shared by Essayli shows a chaotic scene as the illegal immigrant was arrested while an officer tried to chase the tow truck on foot.
Videos posted to TikTok helped Homeland Security Investigations locate Nunez.
The complaint was signed by United States Magistrate Judge Stephanie Christensen.
The arrest happens amid high tensions between activists and the federal government in Los Angeles. Recently, a judge issued an injunction stating that the Trump administration was not authorized to send the National Guard to stop anti-ICE protests in June.
“DONALD TRUMP LOSES AGAIN. The courts agree — his militarization of our streets and use of the military against US citizens is ILLEGAL,” Newsom wrote on X.
“The military will remain in Los Angeles. This is a false narrative and a misleading injunction. The military has never engaged in direct law enforcement operations here in LA,” Essayli replied. “They protect our federal employees and properties so our federal agents can safely enforce federal laws in the face of the thugs being unleashed and encouraged by state and local politicians.”
ICE agents have reported a 1000% increase in assaults since this time last year, the Department of Homeland Security said in August.
“We will not and have not let this violence stop us or slow us down. Every day our law enforcement continues to enforce the law and arrest the most depraved criminals, including pedophiles, terrorists, murderers, gang members, and sexual predators,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated.
