A Koreatown resident, Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, has been charged with attempting to cause malicious damage to federal property after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at security officers inside a federal building in downtown Los Angeles. The incident took place Monday morning and is believed by law enforcement to have been motivated by anti-immigration enforcement sentiment.
Jovel was arrested at the scene and is expected to make his first court appearance on Wednesday in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
“This case exemplifies how misleading and hateful rhetoric against federal law enforcement can and does result in violence,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “Irresponsible rhetoric by politicians and activists have real-world consequences. It must stop.”
“There can be zero tolerance for any targeting of law enforcement officials – let alone violent acts – and we’re lucky that the devices allegedly thrown by the subject did not physically injure anyone,” said Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is dedicated to investigating and holding accountable anyone who conducts targeted attacks against government employees.”
According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, hours before the attack Jovel set fire to his Koreatown apartment after receiving an eviction notice. He then went to the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles’ Civic Center carrying several shopping bags. The building houses offices for multiple federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Surveillance video reportedly shows Jovel standing outside the main entrance before reaching into one of his bags on his bicycle handlebars and throwing a Molotov cocktail through a sliding door marked as an employee entrance. He then threw another device through a public entrance where people were waiting for security screening.
Evidence from the scene included surveillance footage indicating that Jovel attempted to light at least one of the devices. Officers immediately arrested him at the scene and found five additional Molotov cocktails along with a lighter among his belongings.
During his arrest, Jovel told officers he was angry about immigration policies enacted by the federal government. He described his actions as “a terrorist attack” and told officers, “you’re separating families.” He also yelled for others to “start shooting these,” referring to law enforcement personnel present.
Authorities note that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court. If convicted, Jovel faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and could receive up to 20 years.
The investigation is being led by the FBI with support from several agencies including the Federal Protective Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles Police Department, and Los Angeles Fire Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Jenna W. Long from the National Security Division is prosecuting this case.
