The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said a man was arrested for allegedly throwing multiple Molotov cocktails at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office building in Los Angeles, California. The man shouted “anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sentiments,” DHS stated. “This was a clear and deliberate attack on federal law enforcement, and it is emblematic of the constant attacks these brave men and women endure day in and day out as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons against them, and even targeted shootings. These attacks are the consequences of hateful and un-American rhetoric by sanctuary politicians, activists, and the media who smear our officers with misinformation and false narratives. Secretary Noem has been clear: anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she continued. Additional coverage below: BREAKING: An anti-ICE man with a known criminal record has been ARRESTED for throwing Molotov cocktails at a federal building in Los Angeles "He as an EXTENSIVE record. He said he wanted to blow up the building and spray down the agents." The Democrat rhetoric CAUSES this.… pic.twitter.com/8enNGj60vT — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 3, 2025 More from DHS: On Monday, the 54-year-old suspect arrived at the Los Angeles Federal Building (LAFB) armed with multiple Molotov cocktails. A contract Protective Security Officer (PSO) heard the man yelling anti-ICE comments at the officers on the sidewalk off property. He proceeded to throw two Molotov cocktails at officers guarding the building. The suspect was taken into custody and stated that he wanted to blow up the building and “spray down” all the officers while making more derogatory comments about ICE officers. Fortunately, the bottles were not lit and did not catch fire and there were no injuries or damage to federal property. He also had four knives and a Leatherman tool on him at the time of his arrest. “Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, is charged with throwing two Molotov cocktails into our downtown Los Angeles Federal Building. This building houses our U.S. Attorney’s Office, ICE, and is where illegal immigrants are processed. Jovel was targeting our immigration enforcement operations and wanted to send a political message. Thankfully, the devices did not ignite and no one was injured. Jovel was immediately arrested. Federal officers seized Jovel’s belongings and discovered five other Molotov cocktails,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said. “Jovel is charged with attempted malicious damage of federal property, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and up to 20 years’ imprisonment. This is an ongoing investigation and we’ll be looking at adding additional charges. This case exemplifies how misleading and hateful rhetoric against federal law enforcement can and does result in violence. Irresponsible rhetoric by politicians and activists have real-world consequences. It must stop,” he continued. Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, is charged with throwing two Molotov cocktails into our downtown Los Angeles Federal Building. This building houses our U.S. Attorney's Office, ICE, and is where illegal immigrants are processed. Jovel was targeting our immigration enforcement operations… pic.twitter.com/p7j2hvqOge — F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) December 2, 2025 ABC7 Los Angeles shared: DHS says the suspect has an extensive criminal history that spans almost four decades, including an attempted murder charge in 1987, an armed robbery charge in 1991 and a charge of annoying or molesting a victim under 18 in 2007. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass released the following statement: “I am deeply alarmed by the incident that occurred at the Federal Building in Downtown. This type of behavior is absolutely unconscionable. Thank you to our LAPD officers and law enforcement partners for their intervention and response. I am grateful that no one was injured.”