A Lincoln Heights man was sentenced Monday to three years and one month behind bars for pouring lighter fluid onto a burning California Highway Patrol vehicle and throwing an electric scooter over a freeway overpass near officers during an unruly anti-immigration enforcement protest in downtown Los Angeles last year.
Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John F. Walter, who also ordered him to pay $253,415 in restitution.
Flores pleaded guilty in April to one federal count of obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder.
According to his plea agreement, during the evening of June 8, 2025, Flores participated in a riot on the Main Street overpass of the Hollywood (101) Freeway when law enforcement officers were trapped below as protesters threw rocks, chunks of concrete, scooters, street signs, fireworks, and lighted debris at them.
Flores poured lighter fluid from a plastic water bottle onto a burning CHP vehicle, causing the flames to intensify, prosecutors said. He then pointed and directed another person who lit a liquid substance on fire and poured the flaming liquid onto the same CHP vehicle.
Immediately afterward, Flores poured lighter fluid from a second bottle onto the burning vehicle. Minutes later, Flores, along with another person, threw an electric scooter over the overpass railing near CHP vehicles and officers below, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Flores admitted in his plea agreement that he knew the officers were under the freeway overpass. He further admitted that he knew that throwing objects and burning debris created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to the officers.
“Violent attacks on law enforcement will result in federal prison time,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement Monday. “Those who escalate chaos and endanger officers will be held accountable. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to protecting the men and women sworn to keep our communities safe.”