Iranian Couple Pleads Guilty to Firearms, Threat Charges in Tempe ICE Confrontation

Mehrzad Asadi Eidivand, an Iranian national in the U.S. illegally, and his wife, Linet Vartanniavartanians, a naturalized U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a June confrontation with ICE agents at their Tempe, Arizona home. Eidivand admitted to illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, while Vartanniavartanians pleaded guilty to threatening federal law enforcement officers during the encounter. During the incident, Vartanniavartanians warned agents that anyone attempting to enter their home would be shot and held a loaded gun, escalating the situation. Eidivand faces up to 15 years in prison and significant fines, while Vartanniavartanians faces up to 10 years, though both are expected to receive lighter sentences due to plea agreements. Eidivand had previously been granted voluntary departure but never left the country and remains in ICE custody pending removal. The case was investigated by ICE ERO, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI, with prosecution by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona.