Federal Authorities Arrest Man for Supplying Gear to Protesters in Los Angeles Anti-ICE Demonstrations

LOS ANGELES — Federal prosecutors have charged a Southern California man in connection with recent violent protests targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities across Los Angeles. The arrest marks the most notable development so far in a federal investigation into what officials describe as coordinated unrest.

The suspect, Alejandro Theodoro Orellana, was taken into custody by the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorder under federal statute 18 U.S.C. § 371. Authorities allege he helped supply protesters with tactical equipment used during confrontations with law enforcement.

According to court documents, Orellana is accused of organizing the distribution of protective face shields and other gear used by demonstrators clashing with police. The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, said the actions went beyond free speech protections and posed serious risks to public safety.

“Coordinating and equipping violent activity is not protected protest — it’s a federal crime,” Essayli said. “We will pursue those who incite or support unlawful violence.”

Protests Erupt Over ICE Raids

The protests began after reports of workplace enforcement actions by ICE agents in the Los Angeles area. Demonstrations quickly spread and have continued for nearly a week, resulting in property damage, injuries to officers, and over 40 arrests.

What began as peaceful protests escalated into more confrontational events, with police reporting projectiles, fireworks, and makeshift barricades outside federal buildings, including ICE offices and the Metropolitan Detention Center.

In one incident, demonstrators set fire to a dumpster and attempted to push through a security barrier, prompting police to deploy crowd-control measures, including non-lethal rounds and tear gas.

Federal Investigation Triggered by Local Footage

A local news broadcast is credited with prompting the federal investigation. FOX LA captured video showing a truck unloading boxes of Uvex face shields near Union Station during one of the protests. The footage showed individuals distributing the gear to groups of masked demonstrators shortly before clashes with police.

Federal agents say the face shields, commonly used in industrial settings, were being utilized by protesters to withstand pepper spray and tear gas, allowing them to remain in restricted areas longer and resist dispersal.

“This was not a spontaneous protest — it was planned and supplied,” a federal official involved in the investigation said. “This level of preparation suggests an organized effort resembling extremist tactics.”

Alleged Ties to Activist Group

Federal documents also link Orellana to the Brown Berets, a Chicano nationalist organization with roots in the civil rights movements of the 1960s. Law enforcement officials now describe the group as having taken on a more militant posture in recent years.

Prosecutors claim Orellana coordinated the purchase of over 200 industrial-grade face shields and other gear online, then distributed the equipment from a rented truck parked near protest locations.

Social media posts attributed to Orellana and others encouraged “direct action” and included calls to resist immigration enforcement efforts “by any means necessary.” Investigators are also reviewing possible links between these actions and online crowdfunding campaigns.

Community and Legal Response

The case has stirred sharp reactions from both sides of the political and legal spectrum. Civil rights groups say the charges could signal a chilling crackdown on protest rights.

“While we condemn violence, we’re concerned that this case could be used to blur the line between protest and criminal conspiracy,” the Los Angeles Civil Liberties Coalition said in a statement.

Others applauded federal authorities for taking a stand against organized disruption. Some downtown business owners expressed frustration at the toll the protests have taken on their neighborhoods.

“This has gone way beyond peaceful protest,” said Maria Gutierrez, a shop owner near the protest area. “We’ve had to shut down early, and our customers are afraid to come downtown.”

Legal Outlook and Ongoing Investigation

Orellana appeared before a federal magistrate in Los Angeles on Thursday. Prosecutors are requesting he remain in custody before trial, citing concerns that he may flee or pose a risk to the public.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000.

Federal officials say the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected. Agencies involved include the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“This investigation isn’t about politics,” a DOJ spokesperson said. “It’s about accountability for those who facilitate organized violence under the guise of protest.”

As city officials work to de-escalate tensions, police remain on high alert around federal buildings, and the mayor has urged residents to avoid protest zones until calm is fully restored.