BREAKING NEWS: A federal grand jury has indicted three women for allegedly chasing a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent from his workplace and livestreaming the pursuit before posting his home address online. This shocking incident occurred on August 28, 2023, in Los Angeles, California, raising alarm over the safety of federal agents and their families.
The indicted individuals, identified as Cynthia Raygoza, 37, from Riverside, California; Ashleigh Brown, 38, of Aurora, Colorado; and Sandra Carmona Samane, 25, from Panorama City, California, face serious charges. They are accused of conspiracy and disclosing the personal information of a federal agent publicly, according to an official announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Acting U.S. Attorney in California, Bill Essayli, expressed outrage over the actions of the accused. “Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe,” Essayli stated. “The conduct of these defendants is deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families. If you threaten, dox, or harm in any manner one of our agents or employees, you will face prosecution and prison time.”
During the livestream, which was shared on Instagram accounts such as “ice_out_of_la” and “defendmesoamericanculture,” the women allegedly followed the ICE agent from the Civic Center in downtown Los Angeles to his home. They encouraged viewers to share their feed and shouted messages to neighbors, including “neighbor is ICE” and “la migra lives here,” as noted in the indictment.
After arriving at the agent’s residence, the women posted his address online with a provocative message: “Come on down.” This dangerous behavior has sparked widespread condemnation, particularly in light of recent violence against ICE personnel. Just this week, a gunman opened fire at an ICE facility in Dallas, resulting in the death of one detainee and injuries to two others.
Brown and Samane were arrested following the incident. Brown, who faces additional charges related to assaulting a federal officer, remains in custody without bond. Samane was released on a $5,000 bond. Their arraignment dates are set for September 30 and October 9, respectively. Meanwhile, Raygoza is still at large.
The implications of this indictment extend beyond these three women. Recent data shows attacks on ICE agents have surged by 830% since January, prompting urgent discussions about the safety and security of federal law enforcement personnel. If convicted, each woman faces up to five years in federal prison per count, a serious consequence that underscores the gravity of their actions.
This alarming case is developing rapidly, and authorities are emphasizing the need for accountability in the face of growing threats against federal agents. Stay tuned for more updates as this situation unfolds.