Florida Woman Posed as ICE Agent, Kidnapped Ex-Boyfriend’s Wife, Authorities Say
A Florida woman is behind bars after authorities say she posed as an ICE agent and kidnapped the wife of her ex-boyfriend in a bizarre scheme.
According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, 52-year-old Latrance Battle was arrested on charges of kidnapping, robbery by sudden snatching, and impersonating a law enforcement officer, Law and Crime reports.
Investigators say Battle showed up at the victim’s workplace—the Days Inn in Panama City—earlier this month, dressed in black with a jacket, pants, hat, sunglasses, a white face mask, and a shirt clearly marked “ICE.”
The victim, who did not know Battle, told deputies she was caught off guard when the woman flashed what appeared to be a law enforcement badge and claimed to be with the Sheriff’s Office. Convinced she was dealing with an officer, the woman told her boss she had to comply and ultimately left with Battle.
Deputies say Battle then ordered the victim into the back seat of her car and told her they were headed to the sheriff’s office. However, when the victim tried to call her lawyer, Battle allegedly “forcibly snatched” the phone out of her hands, saying she could make her “one phone call” later. The arrest affidavit obtained by the Miami Herald details how Battle stayed in character, using a handheld radio to stage fake conversations with what the victim assumed were other ICE agents.
The ruse, however, began to unravel when Battle drove past the sheriff’s office without stopping. Growing suspicious, the victim questioned Battle, who allegedly kept berating the victim’s husband, saying she now had to “suffer the consequences of her husband’s actions.”
The situation escalated when Battle drove the woman to an apartment complex and instructed her to head to a specific unit where she claimed ICE agents were waiting.
Instead, while Battle was inside the apartment making noise, the victim seized the chance to run for help. She approached a man outside, explaining she had been taken against her will and that Battle still had her phone. When confronted by the man, Battle allegedly replied, “She knows what she did,” before briefly leaving and returning to the scene.
The good Samaritan helped keep the victim safe until law enforcement arrived.
The victim’s husband later told deputies that the woman fit the description of his ex-girlfriend, Battle, who had a history of violent incidents, including a past attack at his business. Battle, who was already on probation for aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony, is currently being held at the Bay County Jail without bond.
