More than a dozen individuals have been charged in connection with recent immigration protests in Downtown Los Angeles, facing felony counts related to assaulting officers, grand theft, vandalism, and burglary, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
“I fiercely support the right to peacefully protest and to free speech,” said Hochman, “but my office will also fiercely prosecute those who decide to cross a line into criminal conduct. We will protect those who hurl insults; we will prosecute those who hurl bricks, cinderblocks or fireworks at officers.”
Among the most serious charges filed:
- One individual is accused of distributing and throwing commercial-grade fireworks at police officers, injuring at least one. Prosecutors filed three felony charges, including assault on a peace officer and advocating violence. The defendant faces up to six years and four months in state prison.
- Two others allegedly drove motorcycles directly into police skirmish lines, resulting in injuries to multiple officers. Both were charged with two felony counts of assault on a peace officer, each facing up to six years and four months in state prison.
- In a separate incident, another individual allegedly drove a minivan at protesters, fled the scene, and was later found in possession of a loaded ghost gun and methamphetamine pipe. Charges include assault with a deadly weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and two misdemeanors. The potential sentence is 25 years to life in state prison.
Other charges filed during the protests involve conspiracy to commit vandalism, property damage, commercial burglary, and theft.
The Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and California Highway Patrol continue to investigate related cases. Additional individuals have been cited and released pending review by the District Attorney’s Office.
All charges are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
