A suspected Russian terrorist bit an immigration officer’s finger, fracturing it and drawing blood while he was being arrested in downtown Los Angeles, according to law enforcement and sources.
Maksim Zaitsev, 35, of Costa Mesa, was deemed a KST — or known or suspected terrorist — and a national security risk by federal authorities, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sources told The Post.
Zaitsev was told to report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for a review of his immigration status — but was taken into custody on a Homeland Security warrant when he arrived at the federal building on Tuesday, an affidavit said.
“He showed up to the office to report and they took him into custody and he started fighting the agents,” one DHS source told The Post.
“They’re getting feisty,” the source said of those being rounded up.
As Zaitsev was being escorted down a hallway, he became “agitated,” according to the affidavit.
He screamed at a woman believed to be his wife and then knocked two ICE deportation officers to the ground, the affidavit said.
As he fought, Zaitsev allegedly chomped down on one of the agent’s pinky fingers, breaking the skin and fracturing it, the affidavit stated — with photos showing a digit covered in blood.
Zaitsev is charged with assault on a federal employee and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said, without elaborating on his exact immigration status.
“The men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement are critical to protecting national security and public safety and upholding the rule of law,” said Joseph T. McNally, Acting United States Attorney in the Central District of California.
“As alleged in the felony criminal complaint, the defendant attacked a deportation officer. He will be held accountable for his actions.”
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