A 39-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record has been federally charged after allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at a Los Angeles hotel where federal agents were staying during recent immigration enforcement operations.
Eric Anthony Rodriguez is facing a federal charge related to the possession and use of an explosive device, according to court records. Authorities say the incident happened on June 21 outside a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), where 15 ICE agents and 12 CBP officers were temporarily housed.
“This coward threw a Molotov cocktail at a hotel in Los Angeles where 27 DHS law enforcement officers were staying,” said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security. “Thankfully, the attack failed, and no one was injured.”
According to the Justice Department, the device landed in bushes and was quickly put out by a hotel staff member. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses helped the LAPD identify Rodriguez as the suspect. He was arrested hours later, reportedly found asleep near a gas station just a block from the hotel.
The attack occurred amid ongoing riots and protests in Los Angeles, which erupted in response to ICE raids in predominantly Latino neighborhoods, including a widely publicized enforcement action outside a Home Depot in Paramount. Tensions have soared as the Trump administration has escalated immigration operations across California.
McLaughlin blamed what she called “dangerous rhetoric” from local sanctuary city leaders for fueling hostility toward federal agents.
“Violence against law enforcement has surged 500%,” she said. “Secretary [Kristi] Noem has made it clear: threats against federal officers will not be tolerated. Rodriguez will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Rodriguez’s charges are the third federal case involving Molotov cocktail attacks related to the unrest this month. He has a long history of criminal convictions, including assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, falsifying checks, and vandalism. He also had an outstanding felony warrant for violating parole at the time of his arrest.
His most recent conviction was for first-degree robbery in March 2024, for which he was sentenced to two years in prison.
