BREAKING: A 79-year-old Van Nuys car wash owner, Rafie Ollah Shouhed, has just filed a staggering $50 million civil rights claim following a violent immigration raid at his business on September 9, 2025. Shouhed alleges he was brutally body slammed and pinned by federal agents during the operation, which has raised serious questions about the conduct of enforcement agencies.
Shouhed, owner of Valley Car Wash located at 7530 Van Nuys Blvd, reported that masked agents stormed his premises, where he was present at the time. Disturbing surveillance footage reviewed by KTLA captures the moment a federal agent shoved Shouhed to the ground, igniting outrage over the treatment of U.S. citizens during such raids.
In a shocking turn of events, Shouhed stated he stepped outside to offer proof that his employees were legally authorized to work. Instead of receiving cooperation, he claims he was met with hostility, saying, “You don’t F with ICE. We are here,” before being thrown to the ground. Shouhed detailed his harrowing experience: “Three of them jumped on me… they were sitting on me,” he recounted.
Despite informing agents of his recent heart surgery and struggles to breathe, Shouhed’s pleas were ignored. He was handcuffed and taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, where he spent nearly 12 hours without medical attention. Even after agents acknowledged he was a U.S. citizen, Shouhed was denied phone calls to his family and released without charges.
After the incident, he was treated for serious injuries, including multiple broken ribs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. The emotional and physical toll on Shouhed continues, prompting his attorney, V. James DeSimone, to label the actions of federal agents as “outrageous and unlawful.”
The civil rights claim cites multiple allegations, including assault and battery, violation of the California Bane Act, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. It also argues that the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection maintain policies that permit excessive force.
As a result of the raid, Shouhed’s family reports that five of his employees were also detained, highlighting the raid’s far-reaching consequences.
In a response, the Department of Homeland Security stated that the operation aimed to target five undocumented immigrants and claimed Shouhed was arrested for allegedly assaulting a federal officer. This contradiction raises further questions about the appropriateness of the federal response.
Shouhed is scheduled to address the media at a press conference on September 25, 2025, at the offices of V. James DeSimone Law in Marina del Rey. The event will also be streamed live on Instagram at @civilrightslawyerjimdesimone.
This urgent case not only underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement but also reflects a growing discontent with federal agencies’ methods. As developments unfold, many are left wondering about the implications for civil rights in the U.S.
Stay tuned for updates as this critical story continues to develop.
