A Florida woman has been arrested after allegedly posing as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent to kidnap her ex-boyfriend’s wife, authorities said.
According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Latrance Battle, 52, was taken into custody on Friday, April 11, 2025. The arrest followed an incident the day before at a hotel in Panama City, where Battle allegedly confronted the victim at her workplace while wearing a black shirt labeled “ICE” and presenting a fake sheriff’s office business card.
Officials said the woman, who is currently in the process of gaining legal U.S. residency, believed Battle was a legitimate federal agent and willingly accompanied her.
During the car ride, however, when the woman tried to contact her lawyer and husband, Battle allegedly “forcefully snatched” her phone and instead drove her to Bridge Plaza Apartments, not the sheriff’s office as promised. It was there the victim realized she was being kidnapped.
Police say Battle made threatening remarks, telling the woman she had to “suffer the consequences of her husband’s actions.” With the help of a neighbor, the woman managed to escape and contact authorities.
Battle was apprehended while allegedly attempting to flee to Alabama.
A video released by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office shows officers approaching Battle’s vehicle, ordering her to surrender before taking her into custody.
She now faces multiple charges, including kidnapping in commission of a felony, robbery by sudden snatching, impersonating a law enforcement officer, and felony violation of probation.
