Driver Arrested Amid LA Riot Protests

A driver who allegedly dropped a “Bionic Shield” face mask during a riot in Los Angeles was arrested by the FBI at his home on Thursday morning.

Alejandro Theodoro Orellana faces charges of conspiracy to commit civil disability.

After the arrest, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayri spoke about the case, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. “We have made it our top priority to identify and apprehend those involved in organizing, supporting, and funding these riots,” he noted.

He described the protests as organized and well-funded and mentioned that Orellana’s arrest was significant in unraveling the network behind it.

A federal court hearing is set for Thursday, coinciding with challenges against President Trump’s use of the National Guard and Marines in immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.

The situation has drawn sharp criticism from various officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who warned that military intervention could be the start of a broader attempt to disrupt established democratic norms. Furthermore, New York Governor Kathy Hochul described the actions as an “attack on our American values.”

In response to the turmoil, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it would pursue criminal prosecutions against protesters who damage property or assault law enforcement, ensuring that all cases would be made public, as stated in an internal email.

This email, circulated to all U.S. attorneys, came shortly after protests began in Los Angeles and spread to other cities in reaction to Trump’s immigration policies. Recently, Trump had deployed approximately 700 U.S. Marines and 4,000 National Guard members to assist with immigration enforcement.

Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh stressed that there should be no obstacles in reporting and pursuing legal action, highlighting the commitment to maintaining safety in the district.