PHOENIX — A federal grand jury has indicted a Tempe couple following a tense standoff with Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during an attempted arrest earlier this month.
Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, 40, an Iranian national, was indicted for being an alien in possession of a firearm. His wife, 37-year-old Linet Vartanniavartanians, a U.S. citizen, faces charges for allegedly threatening to assault federal officers, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.
Federal authorities say that on June 21, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) team attempted to arrest Eidivand at the couple’s residence for failing to comply with a 2013 deportation order. Despite years of appeals, Eidivand’s removal from the U.S. had been repeatedly upheld by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
According to investigators, when agents arrived and announced themselves, Vartanniavartanians refused to open the door and demanded a warrant. She then allegedly called local police and made violent threats, reportedly saying she had a loaded firearm and would shoot ICE officers if they attempted to enter. Tempe police, alerted by her 911 call, relayed her threats to federal officers at the scene.
The following day, federal agents executed a search warrant at the home, where they discovered two loaded firearms—one on the kitchen counter and another on a bedroom nightstand. Both Eidivand and Vartanniavartanians were taken into custody without further resistance.
If convicted, Eidivand faces up to 15 years in prison for firearm possession as a non-citizen. His wife could receive up to 10 years for allegedly threatening federal agents. Each charge also carries a potential $250,000 fine.
The case falls under Operation Take Back America, a federal initiative focused on immigration enforcement, cartel disruption, and community protection. It is being investigated by HSI Phoenix, ICE, ERO, and the FBI, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen.
