A federal grand jury returned an indictment on June 24 against Iranian national Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, 40, and his wife, Linet Vartanniavartanians, 37, a U.S. citizen, following alleged threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
According to court documents, on June 21, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers attempted to arrest Eidivand at the couple’s Tempe home after he failed to comply with a 2013 removal order. Eidivand has contested the removal order several times, but the Board of Immigration Appeals has always refused his motions. Despite the order for his removal, he remained in the United States for more than ten years.
When ICE officers announced themselves at the couple’s home, they spoke with the Vartanianvartanians, who refused to open the door and demanded that they return with a warrant. During this time, she allegedly threatened to shoot the federal officials, claiming to be armed and ready to use the weapon if anyone tried to enter the house. In addition, she threatened to leave the house and shoot the ICE officers directly.
Tempe Police responded to her threats. During a communication with the police dispatcher, Eidivand acknowledged the presence of firearms in the home. The next day, on June 22, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents and ICE ERO officers executed a federal search order at the residence. They located two loaded weapons, one on the kitchen counter and the other on a nightstand.
Both Eidivand and Vartanian were apprehended without additional incident. Eidivand is charged with Alien in Possession of a Firearm, which has a potential punishment of up to 15 years in jail, and Vartanianvartanians is charged with Threatening to Assault a Federal Officer, which may result in up to 10 years in prison.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a national effort to combat illegal immigration and eliminate transnational criminal organizations while improving neighborhood safety and lowering violent crime.
It should be noted that an indictment is only a formal accusation and does not imply guilt; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The investigation is being carried out by HSI Phoenix, ICE, ERO, and the FBI’s Phoenix Office, with prosecution overseen by Assistant United States Attorney Addison Owen of the District of Arizona in Phoenix.