On November 10, 2025, an off-duty federal agent, identified by witnesses as I.C.E. Agent Gerardo Rodriguez, was arrested in Riverside County after pointing a gun at an unarmed 17-year-old boy, ordering him out of his truck, and detaining him in the middle of a residential neighborhood in Temecula. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department has filed criminal charges, including PC-149 (Assault by a Public Officer), assault with a deadly weapon, and child endangerment.
Kirakosian Law represents the minor and his family in what may be the first known case in California where an ICE agent is arrested and criminally charged for detaining a U.S. citizen at gunpoint while acting under the color of law.
This case is already drawing statewide and national attention due to the extremely rare nature of an ICE agent being arrested at all – let alone on multiple felony counts.
What Happened on November 10, 2025
According to witnesses, neighbors, and the minor’s family:
The 17-year-old boy was driving home, in the opposite direction of a house party taking place on Daybrook Terrace.
Off-duty federal agent Gerardo Rodriguez, wearing shorts, stepped outside his home armed with a firearm.
As the teen approached in his truck, Rodriguez retrieved a handgun from his waistband and immediately pointed it at the driver.
Video shows Rodriguez repeatedly yelling:
“Stop!”
“Slow down!”
“Freeze, police!”
“Put the car in park!”Multiple witnesses confirm that Rodriguez displayed a badge worn on a chain around his neck.
The teen fully complied. Rodriguez held him at gunpoint, forced him out of the vehicle, and interrogated him for nearly 20 minutes.
According to the family, Rodriguez stated he was going to “look him up” on a laptop, an action associated with official federal enforcement activity.
During the confrontation, neighbors came outside and urged Rodriguez to stop, yelling that the teen had done nothing wrong.
The boy’s parents rushed to the scene with his passport in hand, fearing the encounter was immigration-related.
Rodriguez ultimately released the teen without citing him, charging him (despite traffic enforcement being outside of the scope of ICE/DHS processes), or identifying any lawful basis for the detention.
Sheriff’s Department Response and Criminal Charges
After the parents called law enforcement, Riverside County deputies responded at approximately 10:41 PM.
The official sheriff’s press release confirms:
Deputies were told Rodriguez “displayed a badge.”
The juvenile was ordered out at gunpoint.
A warrant was executed at Rodriguez’s home the following morning, and evidence was collected.
Rodriguez was arrested and booked for the following charges:
PC-149 – Assault by a Public Officer
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Child Endangerment
He posted bail the same day and currently has a court date set for December 26, 2025.
Although the Sheriff’s Department did not formally confirm his employer, multiple witnesses informed deputies that Rodriguez works for ICE, and several individuals who know him personally have confirmed the same to Kirakosian Law.
Why This Case Is Different: An ICE Agent Arrested and Charged
Kirakosian Law attorney Greg Kirakosian stresses that this incident represents a major shift in accountability involving federal immigration agents:
“This is the first time an ICE agent crossed the line so blatantly that local law enforcement actually arrested him. With such clear, unnecessary, and dangerous tactics, this is exactly what local agencies need to start doing.”
In prior incidents involving ICE agents brandishing weapons off-duty or during unrelated encounters, arrests or charges have been exceedingly rare. Even in cases where weapons were drawn on unarmed U.S. citizens, most resulted in internal investigations – not criminal prosecution.
The combination of:
A minor victim
A gun pointed at an unarmed teen
A federal badge displayed
Claims of being “police”
Threats or implications of an official database check
A prolonged, unjustified detention
makes this case factually and legally significant.
Operating Under the Color of Law
Under federal and California civil rights standards, a law enforcement officer (state, local, or federal) acts “under color of law” when:
They use or appear to use official authority
They identify themselves as an officer
They display a badge or service weapon
They use commands associated with police authority
A reasonable person would believe they are being detained pursuant to official power
In this case:
Rodriguez pointed a service weapon.
He declared “I’m police” repeatedly.
He wore a federal badge around his neck.
He used commands typical of a lawful arrest or traffic stop.
He claimed he would run the teen’s information.
He detained the teen for an extended period.
Every one of these actions reflects the exercise, or the appearance, of official authority.
This places our case squarely within the framework of civil rights violations under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Bivens liability, and related state causes of action.
The Family’s Perspective
The teen’s parents, who declined to be named for safety concerns, described the moment they arrived:
Their son was terrified.
They believed the confrontation might be immigration-related.
The mother brought the boy’s passport out of fear that he could be detained or deported.
They immediately contacted law enforcement after realizing the seriousness of the situation.
The minor is a United States citizen.
Kirakosian Law Will Be Filing a Civil Rights Lawsuit
Kirakosian Law is preparing a civil rights action on behalf of the teen and his family. The lawsuit will address:
Unlawful detention
Excessive force
Assault with a deadly weapon
Child endangerment
False arrest under color of law
Constitutional violations under both federal and California law
Emotional trauma inflicted on a minor
Attorney Greg Kirakosian emphasized:
“This cannot end with charges. DHS must answer for why their agents feel empowered to turn their neighborhoods into improvised immigration checkpoints. This family deserves justice, accountability, and a clear message that federal authority has limits.”
A Pattern of Escalation Among Federal Immigration Agents
In the weeks leading up to this incident, California witnessed multiple alarming episodes involving federal immigration agents brandishing firearms at unarmed civilians. In none of those cases were agents arrested or charged.
The arrest of Rodriguez marks a turning point.
For the first time, an ICE agent’s off-duty use of force against a civilian, particularly a minor, has resulted in immediate criminal prosecution.
This rare action by local law enforcement underscores the severity and unlawfulness of the conduct.
Kirakosian Law Will Continue Fighting for Accountability
Our civil rights team will continue pursuing every avenue of justice for the teen and his family. We will be seeking:
Compensation for trauma and emotional distress
Accountability for the misuse of federal power
Answers from ICE, DHS, and federal leadership
Assurance that no neighborhood, or child, faces this danger again
As more details develop, Kirakosian Law will update the public.
For press inquiries or further information, please contact:
joe@kirakosianlaw.com
Kirakosian Law, APC
Los Angeles, California
Civil Rights and Police Misconduct Attorneys