A man accused of assaulting a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was arrested in Boyle Heights on June 11, 2025, after federal agents rammed his vehicle and used less-lethal rounds during a high-intensity operation.
The incident occurred at 10:47 a.m. near the 3700 block of Whittier Boulevard, close to Calzona Street, according to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).
Video footage shows a white Mercedes-Benz being rammed from the side and front by two vehicles—an SUV and a pickup truck—blocking it in place. Agents in bulletproof vests exited the vehicles, pointed weapons at the Mercedes, and fired what appeared to be pepper ball or other less-lethal rounds.
The driver exited the car with his hands raised and was immediately detained. A woman carrying a child also exited the vehicle. A witness told KTLA5 there were two children in the car and that a canister, possibly tear gas, was left on the street.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that the man, Christian Damian Cerno-Camacho, was wanted for allegedly punching a CBP officer during a protest. DHS stated that the arrest was part of a targeted operation and that the suspect attempted to flee.
“This was a targeted arrest of a violent rioter who punched a CBP officer,” the agency stated. “When Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) tried to arrest him, he attempted to flee. He was ultimately arrested and taken into custody.”
DHS also denied claims that the incident was a hit-and-run, clarifying that the maneuver was part of the operation. The agency said officers have faced a 413% increase in assaults.
“Secretary Kristi Noem’s message to the LA rioters is clear: You will not stop us or slow us down,” the statement read. “ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Footage posted by journalist Sean Beckner-Carmitchel showed the arrest and noted that, according to the man’s wife, all three occupants in the car were U.S. citizens.
