Federal authorities have charged a 54-year-old Koreatown man with attempted malicious damage to federal property after he allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at the Los Angeles Federal Building, which houses Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices. The suspect allegedly described his actions as a terrorist attack motivated by anger over U.S. immigration enforcement. No injuries were reported.
Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, of Los Angeles’ Koreatown neighborhood, has been charged with attempted malicious damage of federal property after an incident Monday at the Los Angeles Federal Building in the city’s Civic Center, according to a criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors.
A Justice Department affidavit states that Jovel arrived at the building on Monday morning with multiple shopping bags after allegedly setting fire to his Koreatown apartment hours earlier following an eviction notice. The federal building houses several agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to the affidavit and statements from the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security, Jovel stood near the main entrance stairs, reached into a bag on his bicycle’s handlebars and threw one Molotov cocktail through an open sliding door marked as an employee entrance. He then threw a second device through the open public entrance door, where people were waiting to go through security. Evidence collected at the scene, including surveillance video, indicates he attempted to light at least one of the devices, but the bottles did not ignite and caused no injuries or damage.
Federal officers arrested Jovel immediately after the incident. Authorities say he was carrying multiple knives, and a search of his bags turned up a lighter, a flame torch and five additional Molotov cocktails. A Department of Homeland Security statement cited by the Associated Press and other outlets said Jovel was heard yelling derogatory comments about ICE officers outside the building before throwing the devices.
During his arrest, Jovel described his actions as “a terrorist attack” and told officers, “You’re separating families,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors say they believe the attack was motivated by anti–immigration enforcement sentiment. In a Justice Department news release, officials said Jovel also urged people to "start shooting" at the officers.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli, in the same Justice Department statement, linked the attack to broader public discourse, saying, “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.”
FBI Assistant Director in Charge Akil Davis likewise stressed the seriousness of the incident. “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,” Davis said, noting that the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is investigating the case and is committed to holding accountable anyone who conducts targeted attacks against government employees.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Jovel has an “extensive criminal history” that includes an attempted murder charge in 1987. Reporting by the New York Post, citing DHS information, adds that his record also includes an armed robbery charge in 1991 and a 2007 charge of annoying or molesting a victim under 18.
If convicted of the federal charge of attempted malicious damage of federal property, Jovel faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, authorities said. He is expected to make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions over immigration enforcement and reports from federal officials of increased threats and assaults against ICE personnel, though comprehensive nationwide figures for such incidents in 2025 were not immediately available.
