Woman Impersonates ICE Agent to Kidnap Ex’s Wife

A 52-year-old Florida woman is behind bars after police say she impersonated a federal ICE agent and tried to kidnap her ex-boyfriend’s wife in a shocking and bizarre scheme that has stunned local officials.

According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Latrance Battle walked into a hotel on April 10 posing as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Her target? A woman who is currently married to her ex-boyfriend — and who just so happens to be in the middle of securing legal residency in the United States.

Dressed in a black shirt emblazoned with “ICE,” wielding a fake law enforcement radio, and flashing a business card she claimed was official, Battle confronted the woman at her workplace and said she was there to detain her on federal orders.

And at first, the woman believed it.

“She was terrified,” a hotel staffer told local media. “She thought this was real and that she had no choice but to go.”

The woman left with Battle, who told her they were headed to the sheriff’s office. But as the car drove away from the hotel, things took a dark turn. When the woman tried to call her husband and lawyer, Battle allegedly snatched the phone out of her hands and refused to let her communicate with anyone.

According to the arrest affidavit, Battle then drove the woman not to the sheriff’s office — but to a nearby apartment complex. That’s when she reportedly dropped the mask and delivered a chilling message: “Now you suffer the consequences of your husband’s actions.”

Investigators say the woman realized she had been duped and kidnapped — and seized a narrow window to escape with the help of a neighbor. She called her husband and the authorities, launching a swift police operation.

Battle was arrested the next day, April 11, as she attempted to flee to Alabama. Bodycam footage from Bay County deputies shows the intense moment officers surrounded her car, shouting for her to open the door. When she finally exited the vehicle, she surrendered with her hands raised.

“This wasn’t just a personal vendetta,” said one Bay County official. “This woman weaponized fear and impersonated federal authority to carry out a deeply calculated and terrifying act. She preyed on the fear that so many immigrants live with every day.”

Battle now faces a slew of serious charges: kidnapping during the commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer, and a felony probation violation.

She remains in custody as of this week, with bond unlikely due to the severity of the charges and her prior record.

The case has drawn outrage from immigrant rights advocates.

“This is exactly the kind of chaos and trauma that happens when federal agencies like ICE are allowed to operate with limited oversight,” said Marisol Garcia, an immigration attorney based in Florida. “It makes it easier for people to exploit vulnerable communities by pretending to be one of them.”

Battle’s motive is still under investigation, but authorities believe jealousy and resentment were key drivers. The victim is safe and cooperating with police.

As the investigation continues, advocates warn this case is a reminder of how dangerous impersonating law enforcement can be — especially when the target is someone already navigating the complex immigration system.

“This woman didn’t just break the law,” Garcia added. “She broke trust — and that’s much harder to repair.”

More updates are expected as Battle awaits her next court appearance.