A man from Koreatown, Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, has been charged with attempting to damage federal property after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails inside a federal building in downtown Los Angeles. Authorities believe the attack was motivated by anger over immigration enforcement.
Jovel was arrested on Monday and is expected to appear in United States District Court in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli commented, “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.”
Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said, “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. 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, Jovel had set his Koreatown apartment on fire earlier that day after receiving an eviction notice. He then traveled to the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles 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 throwing a Molotov cocktail through a sliding door marked as an employee entrance. He then threw another device through the public entrance while people were waiting to go through security.
Federal officers arrested Jovel at the scene and found a lighter along with five additional Molotov cocktails among his belongings. During his arrest, Jovel expressed anger at federal immigration policies and described his actions as “a terrorist attack.” He also told officers, “you’re separating families,” a phrase used by critics of current U.S. immigration policy, before urging others to “start shooting these,” referring to law enforcement officers.
Authorities emphasize that a criminal complaint contains allegations only; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 conducted by the FBI with assistance from several agencies: 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 the case.
