A California man is facing the prospect of decades in prison after allegedly injuring a Border Patrol agent during a violent immigration enforcement protest in June.
A federal grand jury indicted Jacob Daniel Terrazas — a 30-year-old man from Paramount, California — on charges after he allegedly threw pieces of cinderblock that injured a Border Patrol agent, leaving him injured and bleeding, according to a Thursday announcement from the Department of Justice (DOJ). If convicted, Terrazas faces up to two decades in federal prison.
The indictment is likely among many more to come after intense anti-immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots plagued the Los Angeles area in June and assaults against immigration agents rise across the country.
“After repeatedly throwing pieces of cinderblock at law enforcement, officers detained Terrazas, who now faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted,” Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a public statement.
“We will not stand by while our brave officers get hurt,” Essayli continued. “If you’re thinking of injuring an officer or agent enforcing immigration law, think again. It’s not worth it.”
Terrazas was one of several rioters who allegedly threw hard objects — including rocks and cinderblocks — at federal agents during a violent protest near an ICE facility in Paramount on June 7, according to the DOJ. The alleged rioter is accused of using a makeshift shield and nearby trees as cover while repeatedly rushing agents to hurl the pieces of cinderblock at them.
One of the objects allegedly thrown by Terrazas hit a Border Patrol agent’s left shin, causing him to bleed and forcing him to leave the frontlines momentarily, according to the DOJ. An additional Border Patrol was hit by rocks during the chaos, but was left uninjured.
“Terrazas – who wore a dark beanie and black mask covering the lower half of his face – and other individuals threw rocks at Border Patrol agents for approximately three hours,” the DOJ announcement stated. “Law enforcement used less-lethal force pepper bells against Terrazas and other rock throwers. Eventually, law enforcement detained, identified, and arrested Terrazas.”
Essayli posted a video of the June 7 melee on social media.
The indictment comes after massive anti-ICE riots that engulfed Los Angeles and spread across the country.
In response to federal immigration enforcement activity in early June, more than 1,000 rioters in Los Angeles surrounded an ICE building, assaulted deportation officers, slashed tires and defaced government property, according to the agency. Press footage of the violence captured anti-ICE rioters blocking traffic, defacing public property, setting cars ablaze — all while brandishing the flags of numerous foreign countries.
The total damage of the anti-ICE riots across Los Angeles exceeded well over $30 million, according to the latest estimates.
At the time, the Trump administration noted that assaults against ICE law enforcement had increased by 830%. On Thursday, the administration noted that this figure has since increased to 1,000%.
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