On June 24, 2025, a federal grand jury in Phoenix indicted Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, an Iranian national residing in Tempe, Arizona, for Alien in Possession of a Firearm. His wife, Linet Vartanniavartanians, a U.S. citizen from the same city, was charged with Threatening to Assault a Federal Officer.
Court documents state that on June 21, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers attempted to arrest Eidivand at his home due to non-compliance with a 2013 removal order. Despite multiple challenges by Eidivand, the Board of Immigration Appeals had denied motions against the order. He remained in the U.S. for over ten years.
When ICE officers arrived at their residence, Vartanniavartanians refused entry without a warrant and later threatened to shoot them. Tempe Police reported that she claimed to have a loaded gun and threatened violence against the officers. A police dispatcher confirmed there were firearms in the home after speaking with Eidivand.
The following day, agents from Homeland Security Investigations and ICE executed a search warrant at the residence. They found two loaded firearms and arrested both individuals without incident.
If convicted of Alien in Possession of a Firearm, Eidivand faces up to 15 years in prison or a $250,000 fine or both. Vartanniavartanians could face up to 10 years for her charges or similar fines.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational crime through coordinated efforts by various Department of Justice initiatives.
The investigation is being conducted by HSI Phoenix, ICE ERO, and the FBI’s Phoenix Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Addison Owen is prosecuting the case.
“An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt,” stated officials involved in the case. “An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”
