Los Angeles Man Pleads Guilty to Attacking ICE Officer

FRESNO, Calif. — 46-year-old Arsen Tonoyan, a former Los Angeles resident, pleaded guilty today to assault on a federal officer or employee that inflicted bodily injury, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Tonoyan was a detainee at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Golden State Annex detention facility in Kern County. On March 7, 2022, Tonoyan walked up to a detention officer and hit him multiple times, causing the officer to fall to the ground. As a result of the attack, the officer suffered bodily injuries, including a concussion, cuts and swelling on his face, and shoulder pain. The officer sought medical attention for his injuries.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph D. Barton and Cody S. Chapple are prosecuting the case.

Tonoyan is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston on Sept. 16, 2024. Tonoyan faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Tonoyan’s guilty plea sends a clear message that assaulting a federal officer will not be tolerated. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work together to investigate and prosecute such crimes to the fullest extent of the law.

The case is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers every day. As a nation, we must stand with those who serve and protect us, and hold accountable those who seek to harm them.

The investigation and prosecution of this case are a testament to the commitment of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Attorney’s Office to upholding the rule of law and ensuring public safety.