Russian National Charged for Assaulting ICE Officer During Arrest in Los Angeles

Maksim Zaitsev, 35, allegedly bit and injured an officer while being detained under a federal arrest warrant, facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

• Maksim Zaitsev, a 35-year-old Russian national from Costa Mesa, was charged with assault on a federal employee resulting in bodily injury after an incident in downtown Los Angeles.
• The alleged assault occurred on February 25, 2025, when Zaitsev resisted arrest by two Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers executing an administrative arrest warrant.
• Zaitsev reportedly bit one officer’s left pinky finger, breaking the skin, drawing blood, and fracturing the bone during the struggle.
• The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Zaitsev faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted of the felony charge.
• Zaitsev made his initial court appearance on February 26, 2025, and the case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice with ongoing investigation by Homeland Security's Federal Protective Service.

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