Florida Woman Allegedly Impersonated ICE Agent To Kidnap Ex-Boyfriend’s Wife

A Florida woman is facing charges for allegedly posing as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in order to kidnap her ex-boyfriend’s wife, authorities said.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a report of a suspicious incident at the Bridge Plaza Apartments in Panama City Beach on April 10. Deputies arrived to find the victim, a woman, reporting she had been kidnapped.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect, identified as 52-year-old Latrance Battle, showed up at the victim’s job wearing a black shirt with “ICE” printed on the front, carrying a handheld radio and a sheriff’s office business card, and identified herself as an ICE agent. Battle allegedly told the victim she had to go with her.

The victim, who is in the process of becoming a legal permanent resident of the United States, initially got in the suspect’s car and went along willingly because she was “in fear” and genuinely believed Battle was an ICE agent, the sheriff’s office said. While they were traveling to their destination, the victim tried to contact her lawyer and husband, but Battle allegedly snatched her phone away.

When they arrived at the Bridge Plaza Apartment Complex, the victim began to suspect something was wrong because Battle had allegedly told her they were going to the sheriff’s office. As Battle entered an apartment, the victim fled and called authorities.

The next day, Battle was arrested in Fountain while she was on her way to Alabama, the sheriff’s office said. She was charged with kidnapping in commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer in commission of a felony, and felony violation of probation.