A federal grand jury has indicted Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, an Iranian national residing in Tempe, Arizona, and his wife Linet Vartanniavartanians, a U.S. citizen from the same city. The indictment follows an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI.
The charges against Eidivand include being an alien in possession of a firearm. His wife faces charges for threatening to assault a federal officer. According to court documents, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officers attempted to arrest Eidivand on June 21 at their residence due to his non-compliance with a 2013 removal order.
Eidivand had contested this removal order multiple times without success, as the Board of Immigration Appeals consistently denied his motions. Despite these legal setbacks, he remained in the United States for over ten years.
When ICE officers arrived at their home, Vartanniavartanians refused entry without a warrant and allegedly threatened violence against them. She reportedly told officers she was armed and would shoot anyone attempting entry. Tempe Police were called to the scene after Vartanniavartanians contacted them with threats of shooting federal officers.
On June 22, ICE Homeland Security Investigations agents executed a search warrant at the residence where they discovered two loaded firearms—one on a kitchen counter and another on a nightstand. Both individuals were arrested without further incident.
The potential penalties for Eidivand's charge include up to 15 years in prison or fines reaching $250,000 or both. Vartanniavartanians could face up to 10 years imprisonment or similar financial penalties if convicted.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration and related criminal activities through coordinated efforts by various Department of Justice entities.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen from Phoenix is prosecuting the case. It should be noted that an indictment does not imply guilt; all accused individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court proceedings.
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