A man from Orange County is set to face significant legal consequences following an altercation that took place during his arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The individual, identified as 35-year-old Maksim Zaitsev of Costa Mesa, is accused of assaulting a federal officer in a rather unusual and grave manner—by allegedly biting and breaking the officer's finger.
The incident in question occurred last week, around 9:50 a.m. on Tuesday, at the United States Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, as reported by KTLA. Zaitsev, a Russian national, was with his wife when he was taken into custody on a warrant from the Department of Homeland Security. However, the process didn't go smoothly. Zaitsev reportedly became agitated while being escorted for processing, and during a tussle with the officers, is said to have bitten down forcibly enough to fracture the ICE agent's digit.
Details of the altercation were released in a partially redacted affidavit from the Department of Justice, which stated that Zaitsev was already detained and handcuffed when the assault occurred. The consequences for such an attack on a federal employee are severe. According to Fox LA, Zaitsev, who was charged this past Wednesday, could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The Department of Justice has made it clear that they take such incidents seriously. "The men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement are critical to protecting national security and public safety and upholding the rule law," said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally in a statement obtained by Justice.gov. He further emphasized the intent to hold Zaitsev accountable for his actions.
As with all defendants in the U.S. justice system, Maksim Zaitsev is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, a notion echoed in the DOJ's statement announcing the charges. Zaitsev's initial court appearance was scheduled for the day following his charge announcement. The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service is investigating the matter, with Assistant United States Attorney Joseph S. Guzman of the General Crimes Section prosecuting the case.
