Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman Wednesday announced charges against eight people who allegedly committed crimes during immigration protests in downtown Los Angeles, with authorities warning that others who engaged in illegal conduct will be tracked down and prosecuted.
The county’s top prosecutor told reporters that his office will “fiercely protect” the public’s right to peacefully assemble and engage in First Amendment-protected speech, but that those who commit illegal acts “will be prosecuted” and “will be punished to the full extent of the law.”
The cases filed so far — in which the defendants could all face state prison sentences if convicted as charged — include:
— Juan Rodriguez, 47, of Gardena, who is charged with one felony count each of assault upon a peace officer, resisting arrest and advocating violence against an officer causing injury for allegedly passing out commercial-grade fireworks to a group of protesters who lit them and threw the fireworks at police officers at about 5 p.m. Sunday at the intersection of First and Los Angeles streets.
Rodriguez is also accused of throwing fireworks at officers — one of whom was injured when fireworks exploded, according to Hochman.
— Los Angeles resident Ulysses Sanchez, a 37-year-old alleged third-striker who’s accused of driving recklessly in a minivan and was seen on video “driving in donuts” in downtown Los Angeles at about 9:35 p.m. Sunday, the district attorney said.
— Randy Paul Ruiz, 27, and Georgina Ravellero, 24, who are charged with two felony counts of assault on a peace officer for allegedly driving motorcycles into police officers who were holding a skirmish line at the corner of Temple and Alameda streets Sunday afternoon. Ravallero allegedly injured one officer and knocked down several others, Hochman said. It was not immediately clear where the two live.
— Christopher Gonzalez, 20, of Van Nuys, and Yoselyn Johnson, 40, of Los Angeles, who are each charged with one felony count of conspiracy to commit vandalism and two felony counts of vandalism.
Gonzalez is accused of vandalizing an apartment complex in the 500 block of South Broadway at about 6:30 p.m. Monday while Johnson allegedly acted as a lookout, with sheriff’s deputies allegedly observing Gonzalez painting graffiti on one side of the Hall of Justice while Johnson looked on about an hour later, according to the District Attorney’s Office.
— Timmie Paulk, 29, and Raven Mitchell, 25, both of Los Angeles, who are charged with one felony count each of second-degree commercial burglary and grand theft.
Mitchell was allegedly double-parked Sunday night near a Nike store in the 600 block of South Broadway that was allegedly being looted by a group of people, and Paulk allegedly stole multiple items from the store before getting into the car driven by Mitchell, according to the D.A.’s Office.
“As the days go on, arrests are climbing and now the prosecutions are taking place,” Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters, warning that there is “a lot of evidence out there” against those who committed crimes but didn’t get caught immediately.
“So, if you come to demonstrate, that’s great. If you come to throw things at us, attack our employees, you’re gonna get arrested — maybe not that day, but later and you’re gonna get prosecuted and not only may you serve significant time in jail, there’s going to be fines behind that,” the sheriff said.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters, “Our officers should never have to face targeted violence while standing on a line to protect others.”
He said the LAPD “recognizes and supports the right to peaceful protest.”
“But when individuals choose to weaponize that right by assaulting peace officers, endangering lives or committing crimes under the cover of a crowd, that is no longer a protest. That is a crime, and it won’t be tolerated,” the LAPD chief said, adding that the felony charges send a “strong and important message.”