Activists Facing Federal Charges for Targeting ICE Agent
In an alarming case highlighting the growing tensions around immigration enforcement, three women have been indicted on federal charges after allegedly stalking an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent from his workplace to his home, broadcasting their pursuit on social media, and subsequently revealing his home address online. This incident comes amid a troubling surge in hostility toward ICE personnel, with the Department of Homeland Security reporting an 830% increase in attacks on agents since January of this year.
The three defendants—Cynthia Raygoza (37) from Riverside, California; Ashleigh Brown (38) from Aurora, Colorado; and Sandra Carmona Samane (25) from Panorama City, California—are facing serious charges of conspiracy and publicly disclosing the personal information of a federal agent, commonly known as “doxxing.” According to the federal indictment filed in the Central District of California, on August 28, the women followed an ICE agent from downtown Los Angeles to his residence while livestreaming the pursuit on Instagram through accounts named “ice_out_of_la,” “defendmesoamericanculture,” and “corn_maiden_design.” During this livestream, they allegedly provided viewers with directions and encouraged them to share the broadcast, effectively amplifying their actions to a potentially large audience.
The situation escalated once the women arrived at the agent’s home. According to prosecutors, they began loudly announcing to neighbors that “ICE lives here,” “la migra lives here,” and “ICE lives on your street, and you should know”—phrases clearly intended to expose and potentially endanger the agent. The indictment further alleges that they posted the agent’s home address online with an invitation saying “Come on down,” which could reasonably be interpreted as an incitement for others to confront or harass the agent at his residence. The deliberate nature of these actions suggests a coordinated effort to intimidate the agent and potentially compromise his safety and that of his family.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli responded forcefully to these allegations, stating, “Our brave federal agents put their lives on the line every day to keep our nation safe. The conduct of these defendants is deeply offensive to law enforcement officers and their families. If you threaten, dox or harm in any manner one of our agents or employees, you will face prosecution and prison time.” This statement reflects the growing concern among federal authorities about the targeting of immigration enforcement personnel, particularly as political discourse around immigration policy continues to intensify. If convicted, each woman could face up to five years in federal prison per count, underscoring the seriousness with which the justice system views such actions.
The legal proceedings are already underway for two of the defendants. Brown and Samane have been arrested, with Brown facing additional charges of assaulting a federal officer and being held without bond. Samane has been released on a $5,000 bond, with arraignments scheduled for September 30 and October 9, respectively. The third defendant, Raygoza, remains at large according to the indictment. The case represents a significant example of how online activism can cross the line into potentially criminal behavior, raising important questions about the boundaries between legitimate protest and actions that may endanger public servants.
This incident does not exist in isolation but rather reflects a broader pattern of escalating tensions around immigration enforcement. Just days before the announcement of these indictments, an ICE facility in Dallas experienced a shooting that left one detainee dead and two others injured. This violence, combined with the reported dramatic increase in attacks on ICE agents, points to a dangerous polarization around immigration issues. As the legal process unfolds for these three defendants, their case will likely serve as a bellwether for how the justice system balances First Amendment protections with the need to ensure the safety and security of federal agents performing their duties in an increasingly hostile environment.
