ICE Arrests Iranian Social Media Celebrity Farzad Toutouni

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested Iranian citizen Farzad “Tony” Toutouni in Los Angeles on October 27, according to ice.gov.

Toutouni, who has also used the name Robert, has maintained a high-profile presence on Instagram with over 1 million followers. His social media content frequently featured luxury aircraft, high-end cars, and scantily clad women, often including hard- and soft-core pornography.

The arrest follows a decades-long history of immigration violations and criminal activity. Toutouni first entered the United States legally in 1983, but his status became a matter of federal record through several subsequent legal actions.

An immigration judge ordered Toutouni’s removal in 1993, though he was not removed at that time. In 1999, a second immigration judge ordered his removal, resulting in his deportation to Mexico.

Toutouni later re-entered the United States illegally. He stated that on or about April 4, 2011, he crossed the river near Saint Clair, Michigan, using an electric raft purchased in Canada.

Since 1989, Toutouni has allegedly been involved in a continuous crime spree. Federal records indicate he has been arrested for criminal threats, criminal conspiracy, and the possession and sale of controlled substances.

His criminal record includes a sentence of more than 16 months for a variety of offenses. These charges included making or passing a fictitious check, grand theft of an access card, conspiracy to commit a crime, forgery, kidnapping, robbery, and extortion.

Toutouni’s lifestyle was closely tied to high-end rentals in Southern California. In June 2023, an Israeli immigrant named Emil Lahaziel was murdered outside a West Hollywood mansion that Toutouni was renting.

Toutouni will remain in ICE custody while he awaits removal proceedings.

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