Santa Maria police confirmed that federal immigration officers detained and injured 20‑year‑old Erik Zepeda, an adult U.S. citizen, during a targeted ICE operation on October 21. The department turned surveillance video from a nearby grocery store over to the Department of Homeland Security for further review.
Incident details
Zepeda was walking to a class at Santa Maria High School when ICE agents approached him, handcuffed him, and placed him in a vehicle. He says the agents never asked to see his identification, which he kept in his wallet throughout the encounter. After being driven a few blocks, he was released more than a mile from campus. An ambulance later transported him to a hospital for visible injuries.
ICE response
ICE officials described the encounter as a case of mistaken identity, stating the agents acted on “reasonable suspicion” that Zepeda matched the description of a criminal illegal alien target. The agency claimed he resisted officers, assumed a fighting stance, and that officers used only the minimum force necessary. ICE denied any broken bones or medical requests, emphasizing ongoing de‑escalation training and a significant rise in assaults and threats against its officers.
Local reaction
Santa Maria City Councilwoman Gloria Soto condemned the incident, calling the treatment “not okay” and demanding an independent investigation. Community leaders expressed concern that aggressive immigration enforcement tactics are endangering vulnerable residents on the Central Coast.
Legal context
ICE cited authority under 8 U.S.C. 1357 and asserted that its actions complied with the Fourth Amendment, referencing Supreme Court precedent that upholds such practices. The agency also noted that under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, illegal immigrants are not welcome in the United States.
Next steps
The surveillance footage now resides with DHS for investigation, while city officials continue to press for transparency and accountability regarding the handling of the incident.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
