Wearing a shirt labeled “ICE” and armed with a walkie-talkie to simulate conversations with fake federal agents, a 52-year-old Florida woman allegedly kidnapped her ex-boyfriend’s wife in a brazen impersonation scheme, police said.
Latrance Battle is now facing multiple felony charges including kidnapping, impersonating a law enforcement officer, and robbery by sudden snatching, according to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
The disturbing incident unfolded on April 10 at the Days Inn in Panama City, where the victim was working when Battle—disguised in black clothing, sunglasses, and a white face mask—walked in claiming to be from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
According to a probable cause affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, Battle unzipped her jacket to reveal the word “ICE” across her chest and flashed a badge claiming affiliation with the Sheriff’s Office. Believing she was being taken into custody, the victim told her boss she had to leave and was escorted to a car by Battle.
Once inside the vehicle, Battle ordered the woman to sit in the back seat and began driving—allegedly claiming she was taking the victim to the sheriff’s office. When the woman attempted to call her lawyer, Battle allegedly snatched the phone from her hands and told her she’d get her “one phone call” later.
Throughout the ride, Battle allegedly carried on fake conversations via walkie-talkie, convincing the victim she was communicating with other ICE agents. However, the ruse began to fall apart when Battle drove past the sheriff’s office. Suspicious, the victim asked about it, but Battle allegedly dismissed her concerns while launching into a tirade against the woman’s husband—Battle’s ex.
“She told the victim she now had to suffer the consequences of her husband’s actions,” the affidavit states.
Eventually, Battle pulled into an apartment complex, telling the victim to go to Room 108 where supposed ICE agents were waiting. But after Battle ran ahead into the apartment, making noise as if talking or moving items, the victim took the opportunity to flee. She ran to a man sitting nearby and asked for help, explaining she had been abducted.
Battle briefly left in her car but returned moments later. The man confronted her, asking why she had taken the woman’s phone. Battle allegedly replied, “She knows what she did.”
The good Samaritan brought the victim into his apartment until police arrived. During that time, she called her husband—who immediately suspected his ex, Battle, was involved. He also revealed he had a restraining order against her stemming from a previous violent encounter.
Deputies later arrested Battle as she attempted to flee to Alabama. At the time, she was already on probation for a prior aggravated assault with intent to commit a felony.
She is currently being held at Bay County Jail without bond.