A man from Orange County faces federal charges for allegedly biting the finger of an immigration officer who arrested him in downtown Los Angeles.
It happened around 9:50 a.m. Tuesday at the United States Federal Building located at 300 North Los Angeles St., according to a partially redacted affidavit released by the United States Department of Justice.
Maksim Zaitsev, 35, of Costa Mesa, was with his wife when he was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in the courthouse on a warrant from the Department of Homeland Security.
Zaitsev, a Russian national, had received a letter the previous week telling him to appear for a case review at the Los Angeles ICE office.
The DOJ says that Zaitsev was detained and handcuffed when he arrived for his appointment. As the ICE agents walked him down a hallway to be taken for processing, Zaitsev allegedly became agitated and resisted, calling out to his wife as he dropped his weight to the ground.
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An Orange County man is accused of attempting to bite off an ICE officers finger during an arrest in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 25, 2025. (United States Department of Justice) -
An Orange County man is accused of attempting to bite off an ICE officers finger during an arrest in downtown Los Angeles on Feb. 25, 2025. (United States Department of Justice)
During a struggle, he allegedly bit the left finger of one of the ICE agents, breaking the skin and fracturing the digit, the affidavit states.
Zaitzev was eventually arrested and processed and is currently being held.
He is now expected to face federal charges for assault on a federal employee. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
