NEW: Man Arrested For Throwing Molotov Cocktails At ICE Brokers
A man with an extensive criminal history was arrested Monday for allegedly throwing multiple Molotov cocktails at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office building in Los Angeles, California.
On Monday, the 54-year-old suspect arrived at the Los Angeles Federal Building (LAFB) armed with multiple Molotov cocktails. According to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release, a contract Protective Security Officer (PSO) heard the man yelling anti-ICE comments at the officers on the sidewalk just off the property just before the incident occurred.
At that point, the suspect lobbed two Molotov cocktails at officers guarding the building.
The suspect was taken into custody and stated that he wanted to blow up the building and “spray down” all the officers while making more derogatory comments about ICE officers, DHS said.
Fortunately, the bottles were not properly lit and did not ignite upon impact. No injuries were reported to federal employees or security officers, according to the press release.
“This was a clear and deliberate attack on federal law enforcement, and it is emblematic of the constant attacks these brave men and women endure day in and day out as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons against them, and even targeted shootings. These attacks are the consequences of hateful and un-American rhetoric by sanctuary politicians, activists, and the media who smear our officers with misinformation and false narratives. Secretary Noem has been clear: anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Bill Essayli, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, identified the suspect as Jose Francisco Jovel and provided additional details on the case.
After Jovel was taken into custody, police recovered five additional incendiary devices that he was unable to use. “Jovel is charged with attempted malicious damage of federal property, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and up to 20 years’ imprisonment,” Essayli posted on X.
“This case exemplifies how misleading and hateful rhetoric against federal law enforcement can and does result in violence. Irresponsible rhetoric by politicians and activists have real-world consequences. It must stop,” he added.
Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, is charged with throwing two Molotov cocktails into our downtown Los Angeles Federal Building. This building houses our U.S. Attorney’s Office, ICE, and is where illegal immigrants are processed. Jovel was targeting our immigration enforcement operations… pic.twitter.com/p7j2hvqOge
— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) December 2, 2025
The latest incident comes just days after two National Guard soldiers were shot, one of them fatally, in a targeted attack while they were on patrol in downtown Washington D.C.
All in all, there has been a 1,150 percent increase in attacks on federal agents and employees since President Donald Trump returned to the White House back in January.
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