The Department of Justice has made multiple arrests in recent weeks amid a surge in attacks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents, which have reached record levels.
On Friday, Gregory K. Bovino, Commander of Operation At Large California and Chief of the El Centro Border Patrol Sector, announced that agents had executed an arrest warrant for a suspect accused of assaulting federal officers during immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles.
In a video posted to X, members of the Border Patrol’s elite BORTAC special operations unit are seen apprehending a suspect accused of spitting on agents during an immigration enforcement operation. At the time of his arrest, the individual was wearing an anti-ICE t-shirt.
“This U.S. citizen is accused of assaulting a federal agent by spitting on him during an immigration arrest under Operation at Large. Our agents swiftly served him a warrant in Los Angeles,” Bovino posted on X.
“California may coddle criminals, but we don’t. If you assault a federal agent, you earn federal consequences. Remember: When talking to federal law enforcement officers, say it, don’t spray it,” he added.
The latest arrest follows an announcement earlier this week by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon regarding the apprehension of a Portland man charged with multiple offenses, including aggravated assault on a federal officer and destruction of federal property during a days-long riot outside a Portland ICE facility in June.
Robert Jacob Hoopes, 24, appeared in court Monday on felony charges of aggravated assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon and depredation of federal property exceeding $1,000. Federal prosecutors allege Hoopes was photographed hurling large rocks at a Portland ICE facility on June 14, one of which struck an ICE agent in the face, causing a severe laceration above the eye.
Later that day, Hoopes and two others reportedly tore out a street sign and used it as a battering ram, severely damaging the main entrance to the building, according to Breitbart News. Authorities identified Hoopes from a photo posted to social media following the attack.
Since June 13, 2025, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Oregon has filed charges against 23 individuals in connection with incidents at the ICE facility, including assault on federal officers, arson, possession of destructive devices, and destruction of government property.
Federal prosecutors announced last month that one of the most violent suspects involved in the week-long riots that engulfed Los Angeles in June has been captured after a brief flight to Mexico.
Elpidio Reyna, 39, had been on the FBI’s wanted list since June 7, when he allegedly attacked federal vehicles with concrete blocks as they passed through Alondra Boulevard in Paramount. Video footage from the scene appears to show Reyna launching multiple heavy projectiles at federal agents while a mob encircled their position.
At least one federal agent was injured when a concrete block shattered the windshield of their vehicle, nearly causing the agents to swerve off the road, according to footage obtained by Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin.
Federal officials announced that Reyna was taken into custody Wednesday morning at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The Compton native has since been transported back to the Los Angeles area, where he is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday afternoon.
“When agents attempted to arrest Reyna, he was not located and agents developed information confirming that he fled to Mexico,” the FBI said, adding his pictures and descriptions were distributed in Mexico as well.
Mexican authorities initially detained him in the state of Sinaloa.
