A Los Angeles man was arrested after throwing Molotov cocktails at a federal immigration building while shouting anti-ICE slogans; authorities say the devices failed to ignite, more incendiaries were found, and federal officials warn violent rhetoric fuels real-world attacks.
The suspect, identified as Jose Francisco Jovel, was taken into federal custody after throwing two improvised incendiary devices at a Los Angeles Federal Building where ICE officers work. Officials say the bottles did not light and no one was hurt, but investigators later found additional devices among his belongings. The arrest triggered a federal criminal case and sharper warnings from law enforcement leaders.
A report on the incident captured a blunt description of what happened: “A dimwitted career criminal hurled Molotov cocktails at agents guarding a federal immigration facility in Los Angeles while shouting anti-ICE comments from the sidewalk outside the building — but neglected to ignite the bottles first. Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, who has a criminal history spanning nearly four decades, was arrested after the incident at the Los Angeles Federal Building Monday, and continued spewing anti-ICE sentiment, including that he wanted to blow up the building and “spray down” all of the officers. “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 in a Homeland Security statement.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli discussed Jovel’s arrest in a post on X. He stressed the fortunate outcome and pointed to dangerous rhetoric as a contributing factor in such attacks. Federal prosecutors immediately took custody of the suspect and opened a broader inquiry into his intentions and connections.
Essayli’s post included stark, exact language that underlines how close the incident came to tragedy: “Thankfully, the devices did not ignite, and no one was injured,” Essayli wrote on X. “Jovel was immediately arrested. Federal officers seized Jovel’s belongings and discovered five other Molotov cocktails.” Those seized items increased the seriousness of the case and the potential charges federal prosecutors will pursue.
Prosecutors laid out the counts Jovel faces and the possible penalties tied to attacking federal property and personnel. “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. This is an ongoing investigation and we’ll be looking at adding additional charges,” Essayli continued. “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.”
This episode is part of a worrying pattern where anti-enforcement rhetoric correlates with actual violence. Earlier this year, another attack targeted an ICE facility in Dallas where an assailant wounded and killed people inside the building, showing how quickly rhetoric can translate into lethal action. Federal officials argue that vilifying enforcement officers encourages copycat attacks and puts both agents and detainees at risk.
Homeland Security leadership framed the arrest in blunt terms, tying it to a broader spike in threats. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement, “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.
Jovel’s long criminal history added weight to prosecutors’ concerns and underscored the danger he posed. Records show prior allegations going back decades, including an attempted murder charge in 1987, an armed robbery charge in 1991, and a 2007 charge described as “annoying or molesting a victim under 18.” That string of past violence and alleged offenses made the federal reaction more urgent and the call for accountability louder.
Federal agencies are also tracking broader trends in threats and assaults against immigration officers as part of their casework and security planning. Officials report dramatic increases in threats and attacks in recent years, noting a 1,150% increase in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats tied to the period when immigration enforcement stepped up. Those figures are used to argue for tougher penalties and greater protections for agents on duty.
Editor’s Note: Democrats are fanning the flames and raising the rhetoric by comparing ICE to the Gestapo, fascists, and secret police. That language, applied to people enforcing immigration law, risks normalizing violence and making officers targets. Federal prosecutors and agency leaders say the Jovel arrest is a clear example of why sober messaging and strict enforcement matter for public safety.
