Dozens of federal agents descended on the California home of a prominent anti-ICE agitator in a dramatic early morning raid on Wednesday.
The California Post was on the scene as agents executed a search warrant at the Ventura County home of Leo Martinez — who made national headlines last year when he was detained for interfering with an operation to apprehend an illegal migrant and registered offender — one of several locations targeted throughout the Golden State, including Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, San Bernardino and Corona.
Leo Martinez, handcuffed, being detained by a Homeland Security Investigations agent during an early-morning raid. California Post
Leo Martinez, handcuffed, stands between two officers from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Ventura County Police Department during a raid. California Post
Leo Martinez detained during an early-morning raid. California PostIt wasn’t clear what the feds were searching for, but The Post witnessed agents examining a truck and a black van, and gathering evidence from inside Martinez’s home. The raid began around 3 a.m. on Wednesday.
“To protect the integrity of the investigation, we are unable to provide additional details at this time,” a spokesperson for HSI told The Post. “We will share further information when it becomes appropriate.”
Douglas Penfield Elementary School sign with police lights in the background from an early morning raid. California Post
Police and Homeland Security agents conducting an early-morning raid in Ventura, CA. California PostMartinez, a lead organizer for the ICE watch group VC Defensa, was in handcuffs and wearing a black hoodie and pants as law enforcement conducted the search.
The immigration activist made news in October when he was detained for several hours after federal agents allegedly slammed their vehicle into his pickup truck.
An HSI officer stands next to two people detained during a raid. California Post
Leo Martinez and a woman are detained during an early morning raid by the feds and the Ventura County PD. California Post
Martinez and a female in a red robe are detained during a search. California PostMartinez had been stalking the ICE agents conducting an immigration operation in Oxnard, California, to locate and apprehend an illegal alien from Mexico who is a registered sex offender, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement at the time.
“During the operation, officers were confronted by an agitator group, who engaged in the recording and verbal harassment of the officers on scene,” the department said in a statement to CBS News.
Here’s the latest on the raids The California Post has exclusively covered:
- Federal drug agents strike SoCal mansions worth millions in shocking series of surprise raids
- Surprise FBI corruption raid in Lancaster linked to influential Chinese automaker BYD
- Feds smash huge drug ring fueling MacArthur Park fentanyl trade — as accused narco queen caught in desperate final act
- Feds bust LA’s most notorious ‘supergang’ in rapid morning raids — The Post watched the whole thing
Homeland Security Investigations and Ventura County Police Department conducting an early-morning raid. California Post
Law enforcement officers conducting an early-morning raid at a home in Ventura, CA. California Post
An HSI agent stands at the open front door of a house during an early-morning raid. California Post“During the confrontation with ICE officers, two vehicles were involved in a collision. No injuries were reported. This is an ongoing investigation.”
Martinez claims he was trying to leave when the agents slammed into his vehicle.
“I’m trying to get out and do a few circles, trying to get out,” he told CBS. “That’s when they hit me the first time, and then they came through in the video that shows when they hit me really hard.”
Martinez was detained and released after a few hours with charges pending.
No arrests were made during Wednesday’s raids.
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