Law enforcement agents executing a search warrant during an arrest attempt.
A federal grand jury has indicted an Iranian national and his wife after they allegedly threatened ICE officers during an attempted arrest in Tempe, Arizona. The couple faces serious charges related to compliance with immigration laws and making threats against federal law enforcement. This incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the risks faced by officers during such operations.
A federal grand jury has indicted Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, a 40-year-old Iranian national, and his wife Linet Vartanniavartanians, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, following their alleged threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during an arrest attempt. The indictment was returned on June 24, 2022, as a result of the events surrounding an attempted arrest at their residence in Tempe.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers attempted to apprehend Eidivand on June 21, due to his failure to comply with a removal order issued in 2013. Despite various challenges to the order, the Board of Immigration Appeals has repeatedly denied Eidivand’s motions, allowing him to remain in the U.S. for over a decade, despite not having legal status.
During the officers’ attempt to serve the arrest warrant, Vartanniavartanians refused to open the door to the residence, insisting that they return with a warrant. In the ensuing confrontation, she allegedly made direct threats to shoot the officers if they attempted to enter, claiming that she was armed and willing to use the weapon. Furthermore, she threatened to exit the home and confront the officers directly.
In response to the escalating situation, Tempe Police were contacted, and during a conversation with a police dispatcher, Eidivand confirmed that there were firearms present inside the home. This prompted further action from law enforcement.
On June 22, agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and ICE ERO executed a federal search warrant at the couple’s residence. The search uncovered two loaded firearms—one on the kitchen counter and another on a nightstand. Eidivand and Vartanniavartanians were arrested without further incident as the authorities carried out their operation.
Eidivand now faces charges for being an Alien in Possession of a Firearm, which carries a maximum penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Vartanniavartanians is charged with Threatening to Assault a Federal Officer, potentially resulting in a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative focused on combating illegal immigration and reducing violent crime across the United States. The operation aims to remove criminal aliens, enhance community safety, and uphold the rule of law.
It is important to note that an indictment signifies a formal charge and does not infer guilt, as defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation is being carried out by several federal bodies, including HSI Phoenix, ICE ERO, and the FBI’s Phoenix Office. Prosecution efforts are being led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen from the District of Arizona.
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, as well as the potential risks that law enforcement officers face during such operations.
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