Ex-Girlfriend's Wild Kidnap Scheme: Posing as ICE Agent to Snatch Ex's Wife

A Florida woman allegedly impersonated an immigration officer to kidnap her ex-boyfriend's wife right at her workplace. Authorities reported that Latrance Battle, 52, went as far as donning a shirt emblazoned with "ICE" and carrying a handheld radio to pull off her outrageous scheme.

The incident unfolded on April 11, when Battle was arrested just a day after she reportedly convinced the victim that she needed to accompany her, claiming to be an officer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the victim was caught off guard and felt compelled to comply.

Upon arriving at the hotel where the wife was employed, Battle allegedly told her she was there to "pick her up." She unzipped her jacket to reveal the "ICE" logo on her black shirt, attempting to bolster her credibility. To further the ruse, she flashed a business card from the sheriff’s office and brandished the handheld radio, hoping to appear more official.

The victim, who is currently navigating the process of becoming a legal resident of the United States, felt intimidated and agreed to go with Battle, fearing potential repercussions. The affidavit, which has been reported by various local outlets, indicates that the victim was scared and did not want to find herself in a more precarious situation.

During the ride in Battle's vehicle, the victim attempted to reach out to her lawyer and husband for help. However, Battle snatched the phone away, claiming she had a call from the sheriff’s office. The situation escalated when Battle allegedly sped past the sheriff’s office, telling the victim that she would "now have to suffer the consequences of her husband’s actions."

Things took a turn when they arrived at an apartment complex. Battle entered one of the units and began making a commotion, which provided the victim with an opportunity to escape. She managed to ask a neighbor to use his phone and then hid behind his car while Battle searched for her.

After describing the impersonator to her husband, the victim realized that the woman sounded eerily similar to Battle, who had previously been the subject of a restraining order taken out by her ex-boyfriend. This connection raised alarms and led to further investigation.

Body camera footage released by the sheriff’s office captures the moment a deputy approached Battle’s car, repeatedly urging her to open the door. Eventually, the deputy opened the driver’s side door, and Battle exited the vehicle without resistance. At the time of the traffic stop, she was reportedly attempting to flee to Alabama.

As a result of her actions, Battle is now facing a slew of serious charges, including kidnapping in the commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer in the commission of a felony, and felony violation of probation, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.