Federal officials have unveiled new images of a suspect accused of hurling Molotov cocktails into a federal building in downtown Los Angeles. The individual has been identified as 54-year-old Jose Francisco Jovel.

Jovel, a resident of Los Angeles, allegedly carried out what authorities describe as an attack driven by anti-immigration enforcement sentiments. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, he is scheduled to appear in federal court on Wednesday afternoon, facing charges of attempted malicious damage to federal property.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli highlighted the dangers of inflammatory rhetoric in a statement, saying, “This case illustrates the potential for misleading and hateful rhetoric against federal law enforcement to incite violence. Irresponsible remarks from politicians and activists can have serious real-world consequences. This must come to an end.”

During his arrest, Jovel reportedly expressed his anger towards federal immigration policies and actions, stating that his actions were a “terrorist attack.” According to the Attorney’s Office, Jovel told officers, “you’re separating families,” echoing a common criticism of current U.S. immigration policies. He also allegedly urged others to “start shooting these,” referring to the officers.

Jose Francisco Jovel is facing accusations of attacking a federal building with Molotov cocktails in Los Angeles, California, on Monday, December 1, 2025, as confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California.

One image released by authorities allegedly shows Jovel on the steps of the building, while another allegedly shows incendiary devices. The suspect attempted to detonate the devices, but they did not ignite, investigators said.

If convicted, Jovel would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, federal authorities said.

Authorities said that before Jovel went to the federal building Monday morning, he intentionally lit his rented apartment on fire. Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded, and an arson investigator determined an accelerant was used in that fire.

The federal building in downtown Los Angeles, where the U.S. Attorney’s office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies are housed, was targeted in an alleged attack on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, authorities said. (Google Maps)

The federal building in downtown Los Angeles houses the U.S. Attorney’s office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), among other agencies, and is where the processing of many illegal immigrants takes place. 

The suspect was accused of throwing one of the Molotov cocktails into a door marked as an employee entrance, investigators said, adding that the incendiary device broke into pieces, had charring on it and was believed to be lit on fire. The suspect then allegedly threw a second Molotov cocktail through a separate public door where people were lining up to go through security.

California Highway Patrol on Alameda Street looking towards the federal building to prevent protesters coming through in Los Angeles, California, on June 9, 2025.  (Carlin Still/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“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,” Akil Davis, the Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, said in a statement. “The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is dedicated to investigating and holding accountable anyone who conducts targeted attacks against government employees.”