A woman from Florida is facing multiple felony charges after allegedly pretending to be a federal immigration official in a plot to abduct the wife of her former partner.
Florida woman impersonates ICE agent
Authorities in Bay County arrested 52-year-old Latrance Battle, who they say carried out an elaborate ruse to deceive and capture the woman under the appearance of legitimate law enforcement activity.
Battle has been booked on charges of kidnapping, robbery by sudden snatching, and impersonating a law enforcement officer.
According to law enforcement, the incident began on April 10 when the targeted woman was working at the Days Inn in Panama City.
The victim told police that a woman approached her wearing a combination of a white face mask, black clothing including a jacket, pants, and a hat, dark sunglasses, and a shirt with “ICE” written on it.
Authorities later identified this individual as Battle. She was reportedly carrying a business card that read “Sheriff’s Office” and used a walkie-talkie to simulate communication with other so-called ICE agents.
Investigators suspect Battle staged this appearance to fool the victim, who is married to Battle’s former boyfriend and is currently in the process of becoming a legal U.S. resident. Fearing potential immigration consequences, the victim complied with Battle’s instructions.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office stated that the victim got into the vehicle with Battle due to fear. “Latrance instructed the victim that she had to go with her. Due to being in fear, the victim got in the vehicle and went willingly with Latrance,” the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
During the car ride, the woman attempted to reach her husband and attorney but was met with aggression. Battle allegedly grabbed the woman’s phone from her, preventing her from contacting anyone.
According to court records, Battle claimed she was taking the woman to a sheriff’s office and that she would be allowed a phone call once they arrived.
Legal documents indicate that Battle used the car ride to criticize the woman’s husband and stated the victim would “suffer” for his past actions.
Victim manages to escape vengeful Florida woman
Instead of heading to any official location, Battle allegedly drove her to the Bridge Plaza apartment complex in Panama City Beach and instructed her to enter a specific unit, number 108.
While Battle was distracted, the woman seized the opportunity to flee. She ran toward a nearby man and asked for his help. That man reportedly allowed her to wait in his apartment until law enforcement arrived.
Battle exited the apartment and questioned the man about whether he saw someone run. She also reportedly said she took the woman’s phone because “she knows what she did.”
Inside the apartment, the woman called her husband, who immediately recognized the voice of the impersonator as his ex-girlfriend.
The man had previously filed an injunction against Battle, citing earlier incidents, including an attack at his workplace two years prior.
Responding deputies described the woman as visibly distressed and noted in their report that she was “shaking.”
Authorities said Battle was attempting to drive across state lines into Alabama when she was intercepted.
Police body camera footage shows her initially refusing to open her car door when ordered by officers. Eventually, an officer opened the door, and Battle, who had her hands raised, was handcuffed.
Once outside the vehicle, Battle asked if she could retrieve something from her car. One officer responded by saying she couldn’t do anything at the moment.
At the time of her arrest, Battle was on probation for a previous aggravated assault conviction involving the intent to commit a felony. She is currently being held at Bay County Jail on $25,000 bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 29.
Influencer pose as ICE agents
In a separate but similar case in California, two men were taken into custody for posing as ICE agents for influencer notoriety.
Authorities believe these individuals were not attempting an abduction but rather seeking online attention. Their actions reportedly caused alarm among immigrants and local residents.
Fresno City Councilman Miguel Arias explained that reports had surfaced of fake agents appearing at multiple businesses in the River Park area.
These individuals were also accused of initiating unauthorized traffic stops across several parts of Fresno.
Arias said they were apprehended during their activities and suggested the impersonators may have deliberately targeted the city.
“It’s a capital for the immigrant community,” he noted. “They know that we’re about to start the seasonal harvest in the state.”
