Gang Member Convicted of Manslaughter Released by Burbank Police, Later Apprehended by ICE
Raphael Arturovich Gevorgyan, an Armenian national identified by federal authorities as a member of the organized crime syndicate “Armenian Power,” is currently in federal custody following a contentious series of events in Southern California. The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing conflict between federal immigration enforcement and state sanctuary laws.
On November 11, 2025, Gevorgyan was arrested by the Burbank Police Department on charges of obstructing a police officer. Despite his extensive criminal record—which includes convictions for voluntary manslaughter, assault with a deadly weapon, vehicle tampering, receiving stolen property, and grand theft—local authorities released him back into the community the same day. This release occurred despite a detainer lodged by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a request asking local jails to hold individuals who are subject to removal from the country.
Federal agents located and arrested Gevorgyan the following day, November 12, 2025. He remains in federal custody pending removal proceedings.
Deep Search: A History of Violence and Fraud
Gevorgyan’s criminal history is extensive, reflecting the diverse portfolio of the gang he is affiliated with. His conviction for voluntary manslaughter marks the most severe violent offense in a record that also includes significant property crimes and weapons charges. The duality of his record—violent assault alongside “white-collar” crimes like grand theft and receiving stolen property—mirrors the broader evolution of the Armenian Power gang.
Background: The Rise of Armenian Power
Armenian Power, also known as AP or the Armenian Mob, originated in the East Hollywood district of Los Angeles during the 1980s. Initially formed as a street gang to protect Armenian youth from rival groups, the organization transformed over the decades into a sophisticated criminal enterprise. Federal indictments from the 2010s revealed the group’s deep involvement in complex bank fraud, identity theft, and extortion schemes, often targeting elderly victims. The gang maintains strong ties to traditional organized crime figures in the former Soviet Union and has frequently collaborated with the Mexican Mafia to secure protection within the prison system.
Objections and Legal Context
The release of Gevorgyan has drawn sharp criticism from federal officials, who argue that California’s policies endanger public safety by shielding violent offenders from deportation. However, advocates for California’s sanctuary laws, specifically the California Values Act (SB 54), strongly object to this characterization.
Defenders of the policy argue that limiting cooperation with ICE is essential for maintaining community trust. When local police act as extensions of federal immigration enforcement, they argue, immigrant communities become afraid to report crimes or serve as witnesses, ultimately making neighborhoods less safe. Furthermore, legal experts point to the “anti-commandeering” doctrine of the Tenth Amendment, which establishes that the federal government cannot compel state or local agencies to enforce federal statutes. Local law enforcement officials have frequently stated that they are bound by state law and possess no authority to enforce federal civil immigration detainers, emphasizing that their primary jurisdiction is local public safety rather than federal border control.
