Federal authorities have announced the arrest of a man alleged to have supplied protective gear to participants in a series of violent demonstrations in Los Angeles, marking the most significant development yet in the government’s effort to quell ongoing anti-ICE protests across the city.
The unrest, which has now stretched into its sixth consecutive day, erupted following reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Southern California and has led to widespread property damage, injuries to police officers, and dozens of arrests.
Federal Charges Filed
Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, confirmed that the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office arrested Alejandro Theodoro Orellana on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorder under 18 U.S.C. § 371.
According to court documents, Orellana is accused of coordinating the distribution of professional-grade face shields and tactical gear to groups of protesters involved in clashes with law enforcement outside ICE facilities in downtown Los Angeles.
“The deliberate organization and equipping of violent demonstrators is not free speech—it is a criminal act that endangers public safety,” Essayli said in a statement. “Our office will continue to pursue anyone who participates in, funds, or facilitates acts of organized violence.”
Footage Sparks Federal Probe
Local media footage captured by FOX LA reportedly played a major role in triggering the federal investigation. On Monday, reporter Elex Michaelson filmed a truck unloading boxes of Uvex Bionic Face Shields, typically used by machinists and construction workers, at a protest site near Union Station.
Video clips showed individuals handing out the protective equipment to groups of masked demonstrators, many of whom later confronted police in what authorities described as “coordinated and aggressive actions.”
Law enforcement sources told reporters that the specialized face shields were being used to counter tear gas and pepper spray, enabling protesters to remain longer in restricted areas and resist dispersal orders.
“This wasn’t just spontaneous civil disobedience,” one senior federal law enforcement official said on background. “This was planned, financed, and equipped in a way that we typically associate with organized extremist activity.”
Links to Radical Organization Alleged
Prosecutors allege that Orellana has ties to the Brown Berets, a Latino nationalist organization originally founded in the 1960s but recently described by law enforcement as a paramilitary-style activist group.
According to the affidavit, Orellana allegedly coordinated the purchase and delivery of more than 200 protective face shields and other riot gear items through online vendors, later distributing them from a rented box truck near protest hotspots.
Investigators also cited social media posts that appeared to promote “direct action” against ICE operations and urged supporters to “resist by any means necessary.”
Authorities said they are examining potential financial links between the supply operation and an online fundraising campaign believed to have been hosted through multiple crowdfunding platforms.
Protests Turn Violent
The demonstrations began peacefully but quickly escalated into confrontations between protesters and police. Officers reported being struck by glass bottles, fireworks, and debris as crowds surrounded several ICE field offices and government buildings.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed that more than 40 people have been arrested so far on charges ranging from vandalism to assault on a federal officer.
One incident that drew widespread attention occurred outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where rioters set fire to a dumpster and attempted to breach a barricade protecting the facility’s parking lot.
Police used crowd-control gas and non-lethal rounds to disperse the crowd, with several officers and demonstrators treated for minor injuries at the scene.
LAPD Chief Dominic Choi condemned the violence, saying, “Our city respects the right to protest, but what we’ve seen over the past week has gone far beyond lawful demonstration. Attacking officers, damaging property, and arming others with tactical equipment will not be tolerated.”
Federal Coordination and Response
The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that federal agents from multiple divisions—including the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)—have been working jointly with local authorities to identify individuals involved in the supply and financing of riot gear.
A DOJ spokesperson said the Los Angeles arrests are part of a broader federal crackdown on “domestic extremist networks attempting to disrupt lawful government operations.”
“Our investigation is not about ideology—it’s about criminal behavior,” the spokesperson added. “The First Amendment protects peaceful protest, not violence or the orchestration of violence.”
Community Reaction
Reactions to the arrest have been sharply divided.
Civil rights groups criticized what they see as an attempt by federal authorities to criminalize protest movements, while supporters of law enforcement praised the DOJ for taking decisive action.
The Los Angeles Civil Liberties Coalition released a statement calling for transparency:
“We condemn violence in all forms, but we also call on the federal government to ensure that these prosecutions are based on credible evidence and not political motivations.”
Meanwhile, residents living near the protest zones expressed frustration over ongoing disruptions.
“I understand people want to be heard, but this has gone too far,” said Maria Gutierrez, a small business owner in downtown Los Angeles. “Our neighborhood has been vandalized. Stores are closing early. Everyone is on edge.”
The Broader Political Context
The Los Angeles riots come amid heightened political tensions over immigration enforcement and the role of ICE under the current administration.
President Donald Trump has directed the Department of Homeland Security to strengthen cooperation between federal and local agencies, including the deployment of National Guard units to assist with protection of ICE facilities in several states.
The protests began after reports surfaced that ICE had detained several undocumented individuals during workplace enforcement operations in Southern California, sparking outrage among activist groups.
The administration has defended its approach, saying it is focused on removing individuals with criminal records or deportation orders.
“We are enforcing the law as Congress wrote it,” a White House spokesperson said. “No one is above the law, and violence will not be tolerated in the name of protest.”
Next Steps in the Case
Orellana made his first court appearance before a federal magistrate in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday afternoon. Prosecutors are seeking pretrial detention, citing flight risk and public safety concerns.
If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and fines of up to $250,000.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues. Agents are reportedly examining surveillance footage, financial transactions, and online communications linked to other individuals involved in the protests.
“This is not over,” Essayli said. “We intend to hold every organizer, supplier, and participant who contributed to this violence accountable under federal law.”
As calm slowly returns to Los Angeles, officials remain wary of renewed unrest. Law enforcement has increased patrols around federal buildings, and the mayor’s office has urged residents to avoid downtown areas where demonstrations continue.
The case, legal experts say, could set a significant precedent for how the federal government handles organized acts of protest that turn violent—testing the boundaries between constitutionally protected speech and criminal conspiracy.