A Los Angeles man accused of throwing Molotov cocktails into a downtown federal building on Monday has been identified and charged with attempted malicious damage of federal property, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.
Federal officials said the attack was motivated by anger over immigration enforcement, as reported by Fox News.
The suspect, 54-year-old Jose Francisco Jovel, is expected to make his initial federal court appearance on Wednesday afternoon.
Prosecutors said Jovel carried out “an attack law enforcement believes was motivated by anti-immigration enforcement sentiment.”
Authorities released surveillance images that allegedly show Jovel standing on the steps of the building and additional photos of incendiary devices recovered at the scene.
“This case exemplifies how misleading and hateful rhetoric against federal law enforcement can and does result in violence,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said.
“Irresponsible rhetoric by politicians and activists have real-world consequences. It must stop.”
Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, is charged with throwing two Molotov cocktails into our downtown Los Angeles Federal Building. This building houses our U.S. Attorney’s Office, ICE, and is where illegal immigrants are processed. Jovel was targeting our immigration enforcement operations… pic.twitter.com/p7j2hvqOge
— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) December 2, 2025
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jovel made several statements during his arrest indicating political motivation. “During his arrest, Jovel said he was motivated by his anger at the federal government of its immigration policies and actions,” prosecutors said.
They added that he referred to the incident as “a terrorist attack” and told officers, “you’re separating families,” a phrase often used by opponents of federal immigration policies. Jovel then allegedly yelled for people to “start shooting these,” referring to the officers.
Investigators said Jovel attempted to detonate the incendiary devices, but they did not ignite.
One device was thrown into a door marked as an employee entrance, breaking into pieces and showing signs of charring. A second Molotov cocktail was allegedly thrown through a public door where individuals were standing in line for security screening.
Before traveling to the federal building Monday morning, authorities said Jovel intentionally set fire to his rented apartment.
Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded, and an arson investigator determined an accelerant had been used.
The downtown federal building houses several government offices, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and is a primary location for processing individuals in immigration cases.
If convicted, Jovel faces a mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison and a maximum sentence of up to 20 years.
This week at @FBILosAngeles: The #FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) arrested a Koreatown man for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at security officers inside a federal building in downtown LA on Monday morning. Jose Francisco Jovel, 54, is charged with attempted malicious… pic.twitter.com/bfIyQc1EYm
— FBI (@FBI) December 3, 2025
“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,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office.
“The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is dedicated to investigating and holding accountable anyone who conducts targeted attacks against government employees.”
