A habitual offender, accused of attacking a Los Angeles hotel with a Molotov cocktail while it was occupied by federal agents involved in immigration enforcement last week, has now been formally charged.
Eric Anthony Rodriguez, aged 39, faces charges equivalent to possessing a bomb or explosive device under federal law, as per court records.
According to the Justice Department, Rodriguez launched the Molotov cocktail on June 21 at a hotel close to Los Angeles International Airport. This hotel was occupied by 15 agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and 12 agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Surveillance footage captured Eric Rodriguez after he allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at a Los Angeles hotel. (Justice Department )
McLaughlin blamed the incident, and others in which law enforcement personnel have been assaulted, on sanctuary city politicians who have blamed the Trump administration for targeting illegal immigrants, even those with criminal records, for deportation.
“Dangerous rhetoric by sanctuary politicians has fanned the flames of violence against federal law enforcement—and it has led to a 500% increase in assaults against ICE,” she said. “Secretary Noem has been perfectly clear: Anyone who threatens the lives of federal officers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law—and that is exactly what will happen to Rodriguez.”
Rodriguez has a lengthy criminal history, with previous convictions for assault with a deadly weapon, second-degree robbery, falsifying checks, theft and vandalism. He also had an outstanding felony warrant for violating parole.
The Molotov cocktail bottle allegedly used by Eric Rodriguez (Justice Department)
He was most recently convicted of first-degree robbery in March 2024 and was sentenced to two years in prison.
