LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Federal charges have been filed against a dozen defendants who allegedly engaged in violence and civil disorder during immigration enforcement actions in Southern California earlier this year, officials announced Wednesday.
Ten defendants were arrested Wednesday, including Isai Carrillo, who prosecutors say is an anti-ICE activist who threw rocks at government vehicles during the Glass House marijuana farm raid in July in which a federal contract employee was injured.
An 11th defendant is in state custody and will be turned over to federal authorities, while Virginia Reyes — who allegedly used her vehicle to impede federal officers at the Camarillo pot farm — is considered a fugitive, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
“Promises made, promises kept,” acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted on X. “The President and (U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi) made clear that we will find, arrest, and charge anyone who attacks our federal agents. This morning we arrested 10 defendants for engaging in violence against officers and property earlier this year in connection with anti-immigration enforcement protests. They are now in federal custody. … Peaceful protest is protected. Violence is not. Agitators who harm our officers, agents, and property will be brought to justice.”
Carrillo, 31, and Reyes, 32, both of Oxnard, are charged in a single complaint with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, a felony punishable by up to five years in federal prison, authorities said.
Also charged in a complaint are nine defendants who allegedly obstructed or interfered with law enforcement on June 8 during protests in which California Highway Patrol officers in downtown Los Angeles’ Civic Center were allegedly targeted. The felony charge carries a possible sentence of up to five years in federal prison.
Those defendants are:
— Ronald Alexis Coreas, 23, of the Westlake neighborhood of Los Angeles;
— Junior Roldan, 27, of Hollywood;
— Elmore Sylvester Cage, 34, of downtown Los Angeles;
— Balto Montion, 24, of Watsonville, in Santa Cruz County;
— Jesus Gonzalez Hernandez Jr., 22, of Las Vegas;
— Hector Daniel Ramos, 66, of Alhambra;
— Stefano Deong Green, 34, of Westmont, in Los Angeles County;
— Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, of Lincoln Heights; and
— Ismael Vega, 41, of Westlake.
Montion is in state custody and is expected to be handed over to federal authorities in the coming weeks.
Prosecutors say that on the night of the protest, thousands of demonstrators assembled in Civic Center to demonstrate against the ongoing enforcement of federal immigration laws. Certain protesters engaged in violence against officers — resulting in some injuries — and against public and private property, according to the complaint.
Federal buildings were vandalized with graffiti and law enforcement vehicles were allegedly damaged by protesters wielding blunt objects. Los Angeles police ultimately declared an unlawful assembly. Protesters then walked onto the Hollywood (101) Freeway and blocked traffic lanes. CHP officers responded in patrol vehicles, pushed the protesters off the freeway, and remained there to prevent the protesters from re-entering, according to the complaint.
By remaining on the freeway, the CHP officers and their vehicles were positioned under and between the overpasses for Main and Los Angeles streets on the freeway. As officers stood on the closed freeway, crowds gathered on the overpasses.
At some point, prosecutors allege, certain protesters began throwing rocks, electric scooters, street signs and various other objects at the CHP officers below. At one point, a protester poured a clear yellow liquid onto a CHP car that was ablaze, after which the flames immediately grew in size, prosecutors said.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the nine defendants charged in the complaint were filmed and photographed throwing rocks and other objects at officers and patrol cars.
The third and final complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court charges Yovany Marcario Canil, 22, of Boyle Heights, with assault on a federal officer, which carries a possible prison sentence of up to eight years.
According to an affidavit, on June 6, hundreds of demonstrators protesting immigration law enforcement gathered in front of an Ambiance Apparel warehouse in downtown’s Fashion District. As federal government vehicles were leaving the area, Canil allegedly pepper-sprayed into one of the vehicles that was occupied by three members of an FBI SWAT team, prosecutors said.
At that time, the passenger side windows were opened to manage crowd control. The pepper spray affected at least two members of the team with a burning sensation as their faces turned orange, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
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