Federal prosecutors have announced charges against four men in connection with a series of violent demonstrations targeting immigration enforcement efforts across Southern California.
Two suspects from the L.A. area are accused of using Molotov cocktails against law enforcement officers during separate protests in Paramount and downtown Los Angeles. Authorities say 23-year-old Emiliano Garduno Galvez of Paramount lit and hurled a Molotov cocktail over a fence at deputies during a protest near a federal staging area on Saturday.
Deputies with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department quickly pursued and arrested him. Galvez, who officials say is in the country illegally, is charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device, a federal felony carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
In a separate case, 27-year-old Wrackkie Quiogue (also referred to as Ricky Keoki in earlier reports) of Long Beach is accused of carrying a Molotov cocktail and lighter during demonstrations in downtown L.A. Police say he attempted to flee when spotted, but allegedly threw the device as officers closed in. Investigators later recovered remnants of the explosive, including the bottle and parts of a wick, with assistance from a K-9 unit.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says a total of nine people were charged with federal crimes related to last weekend’s protests alone, with that number expected to grow. Authorities say they are actively investigating hundreds of other individuals linked to the unrest.
“The last few days, we have seen vicious attacks on our agents and our properties here in the federal government. The escalation of violence by these rioters poses a serious threat to our agents and the safety of the public,” U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a news conference. “Throwing rocks, explosives, assaulting agents, and committing other acts of violence are extremely dangerous and will not be tolerated.”
“You have the right to peacefully protest,” Essayli said. “But as soon as you cross that line into violence… that’s unacceptable. This is federal court. You’re going to federal prison.”
Officials said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department collaborated on the two cases.
The post 2 men charged with throwing Molotov cocktails at officers during protests appeared first on KTLA.
