A Los Angeles tow truck driver faces a federal charge after allegedly towing an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle during an arrest operation on August 15.
Bobby Nunez, accused of laughing and filming as he towed the ICE vehicle, could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted, according to a federal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital. At the time, agents were attempting to arrest an undocumented immigrant, with their emergency lights activated and vehicles boxing in the suspect.
“Apparently he thought it would be funny to interfere with our immigration enforcement operations. Now he can laugh behind bars while he faces justice. Nunez is looking at up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted,” Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
Prosecutors say Nunez also swung open the passenger door of the suspect’s car, striking an officer, as a chaotic scene unfolded. A viral video posted by Rep. Bill Essayli (R-Calif.) showed the immigrant being arrested while another officer chased the tow truck on foot.
Homeland Security Investigations later identified Nunez with the help of TikTok videos, authorities said. The complaint was signed by United States Magistrate Judge Stephanie Christensen.
The arrest comes amid heightened tensions in Los Angeles, where a federal judge this week said the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard to quell June’s anti-ICE protests was illegal, despite the fact that Guard units have been deployed to quell riots many times over the decades.
For his part, Essayli criticized the federal court’s ruling, stating that the presumption that military units were enforcing laws was false and incorrect.
“The military will remain in Los Angeles. This is a false narrative and a misleading injunction. The military has never engaged in direct law enforcement operations here in LA,” Essayli said. “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.”
A Bizarre and Chaotic Scene in Los Angeles
A local tow truck driver, identified as Bobby Nunez, is facing federal charges after allegedly interfering with an ICE arrest operation by towing one of the agency’s vehicles. The incident occurred on August 15 during what federal authorities described as a critical enforcement action targeting an undocumented immigrant.
According to a federal complaint obtained by Fox News Digital and later confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nunez is accused of laughing and filming the incident as he hauled away the ICE vehicle, effectively undermining the operation. If convicted, Nunez could face up to 10 years in federal prison, reflecting the seriousness of obstructing federal law enforcement activities.
The case has attracted national attention, sparking political debate, viral videos, and renewed scrutiny over the intersection of immigration enforcement, local resistance, and public distrust of federal agencies in Los Angeles.
The Incident: Chaos on the Streets of Los Angeles
On August 15, federal immigration officers were conducting an operation to apprehend an undocumented immigrant. Officials stated that the suspect was boxed in by ICE vehicles with emergency lights flashing.
During the encounter, Nunez allegedly arrived in his tow truck and began hooking one of the ICE vehicles to his rig. Witnesses say he laughed, filmed the act, and shouted taunts at the officers.
Prosecutors also say Nunez escalated the situation by opening the passenger-side door of the suspect’s vehicle, striking an officer. The scene quickly descended into chaos as federal officers tried to maintain custody of the immigrant while managing Nunez’s interference.
A bystander video later posted by Rep. Bill Essayli shows officers wrestling the immigrant into custody while another officer attempted to chase the tow truck on foot as it dragged the ICE vehicle away. The video went viral, sparking widespread social media commentary.
Identification Through TikTok
Federal investigators identified Nunez through TikTok videos. Homeland Security Investigations linked him to the incident using these social media posts, which frequently mocked law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. Screenshots and recordings were shared widely, and prosecutors said this digital trail was key to building the case.
The formal complaint was reviewed and signed by United States Magistrate Judge Stephanie Christensen, paving the way for Nunez’s arrest.
Federal Prosecutors Respond
The Department of Justice sent a strong message about the case. Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli condemned the incident:
“Apparently he thought it would be funny to interfere with our immigration enforcement operations. Now he can laugh behind bars while he faces justice. Nunez is looking at up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted,” Essayli said.
The severity of the potential sentence reflects the federal government’s zero-tolerance approach toward those who obstruct federal officers during duty. While obstructing state or local law enforcement carries penalties, interfering with federal operations during a live arrest is treated as a grave offense.
Political and Legal Context
This case unfolds amid heightened tensions in Los Angeles regarding immigration enforcement and federal agency roles. Earlier the same week, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s deployment of the National Guard during anti-ICE protests was unlawful.
Essayli criticized the court’s ruling, insisting that the narrative of military overreach was misleading:
“The military will remain in Los Angeles. This is a false narrative and a misleading injunction. 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.”
This highlights broader tensions between federal agencies enforcing immigration laws and local governments, many of which have declared themselves “sanctuary cities” limiting cooperation with ICE.
Public Reactions
Social Media Explosion
The viral video of the tow truck incident spread rapidly across X, TikTok, and Instagram, generating millions of views. Supporters praised Nunez as a folk hero standing against unjust immigration enforcement. Critics accused him of endangering lives and undermining lawful operations.
Community Divide
In Los Angeles, with one of the largest immigrant populations in the U.S., the case has struck a nerve. Immigrant rights groups argue that federal agents create fear and disrupt families, viewing Nunez’s actions as resistance. Law enforcement advocates emphasize the rule of law, noting that the immigrant had violated immigration laws and Nunez endangered officers.
Legal Ramifications
Nunez faces federal charges for obstruction and interference with federal law enforcement. The maximum sentence of 10 years underscores the seriousness of the offense. Prosecutors are expected to pursue the case aggressively to deter similar actions. Defense attorneys may argue that his actions were disruptive but not intentional obstruction and may raise First Amendment issues due to filming and public commentary.
A History of Clashes
This is not the first time ICE operations have faced resistance in Los Angeles. Protests have blocked ICE buses and led to confrontations with federal officers. Deployment of the National Guard during previous incidents remains controversial. Nunez’s case adds a new chapter blending civil disobedience, viral culture, and direct interference with law enforcement.
What Comes Next
Nunez is expected to make his initial court appearance soon, where charges will be detailed. His defense may seek leniency. The case will continue to dominate public discourse, especially online. For federal authorities, the incident is both a public relations challenge and an opportunity to reinforce consequences for obstructing agents. For activists, it is a rallying point against ICE’s presence.
Conclusion
The arrest of Bobby Nunez, a tow truck driver accused of towing an ICE vehicle during a live arrest, highlights the volatile intersection of law enforcement, politics, and public opinion in Los Angeles. What began as a shocking act of defiance has become a serious federal case, potentially leading to a decade in prison.
As the legal process unfolds, the incident raises questions about protest, federal authority, and public divisions over immigration enforcement. In Los Angeles and the broader U.S., the Nunez case is more than a legal proceeding—it is a flashpoint in the national debate over law enforcement, resistance, and public accountability.