Los Angeles prosecutors revealed a slew of new charges against rioters who lit police vehicles on fire and looted businesses during the wild protests against immigration enforcement that took over the city’s downtown.
Alongside the new criminal cases, the Internal Revenue Service, the FBI and federal prosecutors launched a joint investigation into the demonstrations’ funding sources after agitators obtained face shields and other supplies for the days-long protests.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced charges against five suspects who attacked police officers and ransacked stores.
“This group wanted to commit crimes. They looked at the protests as a cover, an opportunity to go ahead and ply their illegal trade and commit a whole variety of crimes that, in many ways, has done a huge disservice to the legitimate protesters out there,” Mr. Hochman said at a Tuesday press conference.
The most serious charges were brought against Adam Palermo, 39, who has cases in both state and federal court.
Mr. Hochman said the suspect threw rocks and set a California Highway Patrol vehicle on fire and is charged with felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, arson and vandalism.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Mr. Palermo is also charged federally on charges of attempted arson against a vehicle used in interstate or foreign commerce.
“Palermo was caught on video participating in the attack. His social media account contained a collage of photographs and videos depicting a man holding flying debris, a CHP patrol car on fire and various other damage to CHP patrol cars,” Mr. Essayli said. “In the caption, he wrote, ‘Of all the protests I’ve been involved in, which is well over 100 now, I’m most proud of what I did today.’”
If convicted, Mr. Palermo faces nearly 10 years behind bars on state charges, and a maximum of 20 years in prison on federal charges.
Mr. Hochman said William Rubio, 23, was charged with assaulting a police officer and using a destructive device after he was accused of throwing large fireworks at law enforcement and firefighters.
Prosecutors said the fireworks, M-1000s, are equivalent to a quarter stick of dynamite and, if they explode close enough to officers, can kill or maim them.
Mr. Rubio faces more than eight years in prison if convicted.
Officials said Terrell Tillis, 30, was charged with illegal gun and ammunition crimes after he was caught with a loaded firearm after curfew. He could spend up to six and half years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors accused Eddie Baldwin, 39, of looting an Apple store downtown with dozens of other people. He could be sentenced to six years in prison if found guilty.
And Antonio De La Rosa, 44, allegedly pointed a green laser at a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter during the protests in San Pedro. He’d face a three-year prison if convicted.
LAPD said more than 550 people were arrested during the eight days of protests against federal immigration raids in the city.
The vast majority of those nabbed were for curfew violations or failure to disperse, but people were arrested for attempted murder with a Molotov cocktail, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, gun possession, resisting arrest and vandalism.
Mr. Essayli announced separately a joint investigation with the IRS and FBI to track down who helped fund the protesters.
The investigation comes as various left-wing activist groups have been tied to the protests which quickly spread from Los Angeles to other major cities around the country.
Prosecutors have already filed criminal charges against someone who they said materially supported violent agitators.
Alejandro Orellena was accused of conspiracy to commit civil disorder charges after authorities said he passed out face shields to instigators so they could withstand less than lethal munitions from law enforcement.
“Funding crime doesn’t just affect the criminals, it also disrupts entire communities,” said Tyler Hatcher, the special agent in charge of the IRS’ Criminal Investigations unit in Los Angeles.
“Each dollar funneled into illegal operations fuels violence, undermines law and order and perpetuates fear. Make no mistake, we will identify and disrupt financial networks supporting these criminal activities,” he said.
