ICE Los Angeles arrests Iranian ‘King of Instagram’
Farzad “Tony” Toutouni has a long criminal history and a previous removal
LOS ANGELES /November 9, 2026 —ICE officers from Los Angeles arrested criminal illegal alien and Iranian citizen Farzad “Tony” Toutouni Oct. 27. (Video available upon request.)
Toutouni, who has also used the name Robert, first entered the United States legally in 1983. In 1993, an immigration judge ordered him removed. He was not removed at that time. In 1999, an immigration judge once again ordered him removed and he was deported to Mexico. Toutouni says he again entered the U.S. illegally on or about April 4, 2011, near Saint Clair, Michigan, by crossing the river using an electric raft purchased in Canada.
Toutouni began his crime spree as early as 1989 and allegedly continued to the present day. He has been arrested for criminal threats, criminal conspiracy, and possession and sale of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to more than 16 months for making or passing a fictitious check, grand theft of access card, conspiracy to commit crime, possess/alter access card equipment, forgery, kidnapping, robbery and extortion.
Recently, Toutouni has been living a high-profile life as a social media celebrity with more than 1 million Instagram followers, but his content appears to consist of hard- and soft-core pornography. He often posts pictures of himself with high-end cars, luxury aircraft and scantily clad women. In June 2023, Israeli immigrant Emil Lahaziel was murdered outside the West Hollywood mansion Toutouni was renting.
Toutouni will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.
You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.
Learn more about ICE’s public safety mission on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky and Truth Social.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
