Crime & Law

Laugh Factory Manager Charged With Assaulting Federal Agent in Lakeview

A manager at the Laugh Factory comedy club in Lakeview has been charged with assaulting a Border Patrol agent during an incident near the club late last week.

A criminal complaint unsealed Monday shows Nathan Griffin has been charged with a single count of assaulting a federal agent during the performance of their official duties.

Videos of his arrest outside the Laugh Factory on Friday morning spread quickly on social media last week.

According to the complaint, U.S. Border Patrol agents were in the area of Belmont Avenue and Broadway searching for a body-worn camera that was believed to have been dropped nearby during a previous immigration arrest.

The complaint alleges that when one agent went to exit a vehicle in that area, Griffin attempted to push the vehicle door closed on the agent’s leg. The agent forced the door open and Griffin was taken into custody, the complaint states.

A photo included in the complaint shows the “small gouge and scrapes” the agent alleged he suffered from the vehicle door.

Videos of the incident show Griffin holding on to a vehicle door handle as multiple agents bring him to the ground and place him into handcuffs.

According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to that area around 9:20 a.m. Friday following a report of a battery in progress.

The officers observed a crowd surrounding federal agents, who were engaged in a physical altercation with two individuals at that area. CPD said officers “worked to de-escalate and conduct crowd control to ensure all those who had gathered at the location remained safe.”

Police did not make any arrests and left the scene once the area was cleared.

An online fundraiser launched by Griffin’s family has already raised more than $22,000 to assist with his legal expenses as of Monday afternoon.

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