An illegal immigrant charged with ramming his car into federal vehicles during a chase previously won a “certificate of recognition” for his anti-deportation activism from the city of Los Angeles.
Left-leaning Los Angeles City Councilman Curren De Mille Price gave Carlitos Ricardo Parias the award two months before his Tuesday immigration arrest, Price’s office told The Associated Press. Parias went by “Richard LA” on TikTok, where he posted content tracking alleged ICE activity in his area, according to multiple reports.
“We present this certificate of recognition to Richard LA in honor of your unwavering commitment to keeping the South Los Angeles community informed, empowered, and protected,” Parias’ certificate reads, according to an Instagram post from Price’s office. “Your tireless efforts to safeguard our neighborhoods from illegal raids and abductions reflect a profound dedication to justice, safety, and the well-being of our residents in the City of Los Angeles.”
Parias drove his car back and forth and hit two law enforcement vehicles that cornered him during his arrest in South Los Angeles and made federal agents fear for their safety, the Department of Justice (DOJ) alleged Tuesday. Parias faces charges of assaulting a federal officer.
A migrant from Mexico, Parias had evaded immigration authorities before the alleged incident, the DOJ said.
Parias’ attorney, Carlos Jurado, did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
“What we know about Richard is he’s a very pacifist man. He’s very calm,” Jurado told a reporter after the arrest. “A lot of the police officers here know him. They know that he’s very respectful. In fact, the city of Los Angeles has awarded him for the work that he does in the community. So, we find it very odd what’s being said about him.”
When two federal vehicles had blocked his car, Parias tried to drive through them so aggressively that “large plumes of smoke” and debris began flying up from his tires, the DOJ alleged. Agents feared that he might dislodge his car from between the two vehicles and hurt them, according to the agency.
An armed federal agent opened fire during the encounter, wounding Parias and another agent who was hit by a ricocheting bullet, according to the DOJ.
Parias’ supporters maintain that he has been a force for good in the community amid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids throughout Los Angeles.
“He has risen to become this very credible, respected and admired citizen journalist,” Price’s office told NBC News. “He did it with a lot of love and a lot of passion and in a very courageous way.”
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