A tow truck operator from Los Angeles is now facing federal charges after allegedly interfering with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation on August 15 by towing away one of their vehicles.
Bobby Nunez is accused of laughing and recording himself as he hitched and hauled off a marked ICE SUV amid an active immigration arrest. According to a federal affidavit, Nunez could receive up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.
At the time of the incident, ICE personnel had surrounded their subject’s vehicle with emergency lights flashing, attempting to detain an unauthorized immigrant.
“Apparently, he thought disrupting a federal enforcement mission was humorous. Now he’ll have time to reflect — behind bars,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter).
Court filings also allege that Nunez swung open the passenger side door of the suspect’s vehicle during the chaos, striking one of the officers. A now-viral video shared by Rep. Bill Essayli (R-Calif.) showed the moment the undocumented individual was taken into custody, while another agent ran after the fleeing tow truck on foot.
Officials with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) said they later tracked down Nunez using videos he had posted on TikTok. The criminal complaint was formally authorized by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Christensen.
This case unfolds amid escalating political tension in Los Angeles. Just this week, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to manage anti-ICE protests in June was unlawful — despite historical precedent for deploying the Guard during periods of civil unrest.
Commenting on the ruling, Essayli criticized the court’s reasoning, stating that claims of military overreach were inaccurate.
“The military isn’t enforcing laws on the streets of LA — that’s a false narrative,” Essayli said. “They’re there to protect federal personnel and facilities so our agents can safely do their jobs, even as state and local leaders embolden violent disruptions.”
