ICE Arrests Instagram Personality in Los Angeles
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said on November 9 that it had arrested Farzad “Tony” Toutouni, a social media personality with more than one million Instagram followers. The arrest took place in Los Angeles on October 27. ICE says the Iranian citizen lacks legal status in the country and has an extensive record of prior offenses.
ICE says Toutouni entered the country legally in 1983. An immigration judge ordered him removed in 1993, but he remained in the United States, the agency said. A second removal order followed in 1999, and he was deported to Mexico.
The agency alleges that Toutouni reentered the country illegally in 2011 near Michigan’s Saint Clair, traversing a river aboard a battery-powered raft purchased in Canada. ICE says he has been arrested for criminal threats, conspiring to possess and distribute a controlled drug. It also says he served more than 16 months for offenses including document forgery, abduction, theft and coercion.
Toutouni is known online for posts featuring luxury cars, aircraft and women wearing little clothing. ICE said he will remain in its custody while removal proceedings continue.
ICE Arrest Highlights Immigration Enforcement’s Focus on Detention
ICE’s arrest of Farzad “Tony” Toutouni puts immigration detention and removal proceedings back in focus. The agency says the Iranian citizen, who has more than one million Instagram followers, lacks legal status in the country and will remain in custody as his case proceeds.
Toutouni was arrested in Los Angeles on October 27. ICE says he entered the country legally in 1983, remained after an immigration judge ordered him removed in 1993, and was deported to Mexico after a second order in 1999. The agency alleges he crossed back into the United States illegally in 2011 near Michigan’s Saint Clair, traveling on an electric raft purchased in Canada.
ICE also cites arrests for criminal threats and conspiring to possess and distribute a controlled drug, along with a sentence of more than 16 months for offenses that included document forgery, abduction, theft and coercion. Those allegations and convictions are central to the government’s case for keeping him in custody while it pursues removal.
The case illustrates the consequences of an enforcement system that can detain people while their immigration proceedings continue. Toutouni’s online persona, built around luxury cars, aircraft and party scenes, has drawn attention, but the immediate issue is the government’s effort to remove him from the country.
ICE Takes Custody of Iranian Man After Illegal Reentry Allegation
ICE has taken custody of Farzad “Tony” Toutouni, an Iranian citizen whom the agency says illegally reentered the United States after being deported. The Los Angeles arrest on October 27 brings a man with a large online following and a criminal record cited by authorities into removal proceedings.
ICE says Toutouni arrived legally in 1983, then remained after an immigration judge ordered him removed in 1993. A second removal order came in 1999, and he was deported to Mexico. The agency alleges he crossed back into the country in 2011 near Michigan’s Saint Clair, riding a motorized raft bought in Canada.
Authorities say Toutouni has been arrested for criminal threats, conspiracy, and drug possession and distribution. ICE also says he served more than 16 months for offenses including document forgery, abduction, theft and coercion. The agency says he will remain in federal custody while removal proceedings continue.
The case underscores the stakes of enforcing immigration orders against people whom authorities say have crossed the border illegally after deportation. Toutouni’s Instagram posts featured luxury cars, aircraft and party scenes, but the key question now is whether the government can carry out the removal process it has begun.
Reported by ABC7 Los Angeles, New York Post, Townhall, FOX 11 Los Angeles.
