Popular Social Media Personality Arrested by ICE in LA - ABC7

Social media personality Farzad “Tony” Toutouni, who commands an audience of more than 1 million followers on Instagram, was arrested in Los Angeles by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, abc7.com reported.

The federal agency announced the arrest on Monday, noting that it took place on Oct. 27. Toutouni is an Iranian citizen currently in the United States illegally, according to ICE officials, who also cited a lengthy criminal record spanning forgery, kidnapping, robbery, and extortion.

Federal records show Toutouni originally entered the United States legally back in 1983. An immigration judge ordered him removed from the country a decade later, though that removal did not happen at the time. A second removal order followed in 1999, resulting in his deportation to Mexico.

Popular social media personality arrested by ICE in LA

ICE alleges that Toutouni reentered the U.S. illegally in 2011 near Saint Clair, Michigan. According to the agency, he crossed a river on an electric raft purchased in Canada.

“Toutouni began his crime spree as early as 1989 and allegedly continued to the present day,” ICE stated. The agency noted that his record includes arrests for criminal threats, criminal conspiracy, and the possession and sale of controlled substances.

Court records indicate he was sentenced to more than 16 months in prison for making or passing a fictitious check, grand theft of an access card, conspiracy to commit a crime, possessing or altering access card equipment, forgery, kidnapping, robbery, and extortion.

Online, Toutouni cultivated a prominent digital footprint centered on displays of extreme wealth. His Instagram account frequently features images of high-end cars, luxury aircraft, and women wearing minimal clothing.

ICE stated that Toutouni will remain in federal custody pending ongoing removal proceedings.

Keep reading