LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles tow truck driver is now facing federal charges after allegedly interfering with a live ICE operation by towing away a federal enforcement vehicle—while laughing and filming the scene. The incident, which occurred on August 15, is now at the center of a growing storm of lawlessness surrounding immigration enforcement in California.
According to a federal criminal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital, Bobby Nunez is charged with theft of government property after towing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle that was actively involved in an operation targeting an illegal alien. The agents had surrounded their target’s vehicle with their own, emergency lights flashing, in an attempt to prevent her escape. That’s when Nunez allegedly appeared and removed a government vehicle from the scene—while recording and laughing.
“Apparently he thought it would be funny to interfere with our immigration enforcement operations. Now he can laugh behind bars while he faces justice,” declared Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli in a statement posted to X. “Nunez is looking at up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.”
This wasn’t just a prank—it was a serious breach of federal law and public safety. The chaos didn’t end with the unauthorized towing. Nunez is also accused of using the vehicle door of the suspect—the illegal immigrant being apprehended—to strike a federal officer. The entire chaotic scene, including ICE agents chasing the fleeing tow truck on foot, was captured on camera and has since gone viral on social media.
Ironically, the same video Nunez helped circulate on TikTok was later used by Homeland Security Investigations to identify and apprehend him. The criminal complaint against him was signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephanie Christensen.
The arrest comes amid heightened anti-ICE activism and deepening tension between state leaders and federal law enforcement. The operation occurred just weeks after large-scale protests under the “No Kings” banner disrupted cities across California, challenging what left-wing activists describe as federal overreach on immigration and policing.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has repeatedly opposed federal immigration enforcement, took to X on the same day as Nunez’s charges to celebrate a court injunction halting the Trump administration’s move to deploy the National Guard in response to June’s violent protests.
“DONALD TRUMP LOSES AGAIN. The courts agree—his militarization of our streets and use of the military against US citizens is ILLEGAL,” Newsom wrote.
But Essayli pushed back hard, stating: “The military has never engaged in direct law enforcement operations here in LA. They protect our federal employees and our 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.”
These events unfold at a time when ICE and DHS agents are facing unprecedented hostility. According to DHS statistics released in August, assaults on federal immigration officers have surged by more than 1000% compared to the same time last year.
Despite the surge in violence, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a strong message of defiance and commitment.
“We will not and have not let this violence stop us or slow us down,” Noem said. “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.”
