{"id":335479,"date":"2025-10-27T06:34:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T06:34:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/335479\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T06:34:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T06:34:22","slug":"laugh-factory-manager-arrested-in-front-of-mother-outside-chicago-comedy-club-by-federal-agents","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/335479\/","title":{"rendered":"Laugh Factory manager arrested in front of mother outside Chicago comedy club by federal agents"},"content":{"rendered":"

A manager at the Laugh Factory in Chicago was arrested for allegedly obstructing a federal immigration operation \u2014 but his mother claimed agents \u201ckidnapped\u201d him before her eyes.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Police Department said they responded to a call of a battery in progress outside the club at around 9:20 a.m. Friday, when they found federal agents involved in a physical altercation with two individuals, NBC Chicago<\/a> reported. <\/p>\n

A viral video<\/a> of the encounter shows federal agents taking night manager Nathan Griffin to the ground and placing him under arrest as onlookers scream at the agents to stop during the chaotic scene.<\/p>\n

\"LaughLaugh Factory Chicago\u2019s night manager, Nathan Griffin, was arrested outside the club on Friday morning. GoFundMe \/ Tom Pinney and Elaine Plybon<\/p>\n

The video shows the manager, along with his mother, Elaine Plybon, and agents, in a physical struggle.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you doing this? Where are you taking him?\u201d bystanders yelled as Griffin was picked up off the ground and led into a car. <\/p>\n

\u201cLet us see your face,\u201d another person screamed.<\/p>\n

Witness Will Kolic, who works nearby and knows the club\u2019s manager, told NBC Chicago he saw multiple cars pull up and men grab a man who appeared to be Hispanic.<\/p>\n

Kolic said agents then \u201cjumped out of their car\u201d and snatched the Laugh Factory\u2019s manager while he was standing with his mother.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not clear who started it, but at one point, agents are seen restraining the mother on the ground.<\/p>\n

A Border Patrol spokesperson told NBC Chicago that Griffin was detained after he \u201cattempted to impede and obstruct federal officers,\u201d and claims he attempted to shut the door of the federal agents\u2019 car on an agent\u2019s leg.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe individual was immediately detained and turned over to the FBI for investigation,\u201d Border Patrol said.<\/p>\n

His upset mother posted a video on Instagram<\/a> telling her followers that her son was \u201ckidnapped by Border Patrol in front of my eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFor those of you who don\u2019t know, I was in Chicago visiting my son, and he was kidnapped by Border Patrol in front of my eyes,\u201d Plybon said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I think about going out the door in the morning, I don\u2019t want to\u2026 Because I do not want to encounter the SUV, the screams, the crying and the horrific things that I saw before I was pulled into the fray when somebody tried to kidnap my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"LaughThe Laugh Factory in Chicago. Facebook \/ Laugh Factory Chicago<\/p>\n

The brother-in-law of the Laugh Factory\u2019s night manager and his mother have since launched a GoFundMe to help Griffin raise money for legal funds.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy brother in law Nathan was detained by border patrol officers today in Chicago, despite the fact that he is a natural-born American citizen,\u201d Tom Pinney wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter being arrested and hidden throughout the system, he finally resurfaced about 4 hours after his detainment in FBI custody awaiting a hearing for a federal assault charge which could carry 8 years in prison if convicted.\u201d<\/p>\n

The GoFundMe has since raised more than $20,000 since being created on Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe amazing outpouring of support is reminding us of the America we love. We cannot thank you enough!\u201d Plybon wrote in an update on the fundraising page.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t