PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – A 52-year-old woman is facing serious charges after allegedly posing as a federal agent to kidnap the wife of her ex-boyfriend, according to local authorities. Latrance Battle is charged with robbery, kidnapping, and impersonating a law enforcement officer, officials confirmed.
The incident occurred on April 10 at a Days Inn in Panama City, where the victim was working. Battle reportedly entered wearing a disguise featuring a shirt marked “ICE,” alongside a walkie-talkie, making her appear to be an immigration officer. This prompted the victim to leave with her, believing she was under arrest.
According to the affidavit, Battle directed the victim to a vehicle, instructing her to sit in the back seat while pretending to drive her to a sheriff’s office. The victim, sensing something amiss, attempted to call for legal assistance but reportedly had her phone forcefully taken away by Battle.
The victim’s suspicions grew when Battle bypassed locations she identified as local sheriff’s offices. Battle allegedly spoke negatively about the victim’s husband, hinting at a personal motive behind the abduction. Upon arriving at an apartment complex, Battle instructed the victim to enter an apartment under the pretense that fellow ICE agents awaited them.
Cleverly using the commotion Battle created outside the apartment as a diversion, the victim escaped and sought help from a nearby bystander. The man confronted Battle about the phone, only to be met with evasion. He then sheltered the victim in his apartment until authorities arrived.
When the victim contacted her husband, he recognized Battle’s description as that of his ex, revealing a history of incidents between them. Investigators confirmed Battle as a resident of the complex but initially could not locate her.
Authorities intercepted Battle en route to Alabama and arrested her. Currently, she remains held at Bay County Jail without bond. The case highlights ongoing issues involving prior harassment between Battle and her ex-boyfriend, who had a restraining order filed against her after past confrontations.
These circumstances, combined with Battle’s alleged behavior, provided a chilling experience for the victim. The Bay County Sheriff’s Office is handling the matter as they continue to uncover details about Battle’s motivations and possible further implications of her actions.