Over 40 violent protesters face serious charges, including attempted murder and assault on officers, after anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles caused $32 million in damages while opposing President Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
Key Takeaways
- A 17-year-old juvenile faces attempted murder charges while multiple adults are charged with assaulting police officers and their horses during anti-ICE protests
- Patrick Munoz could face over 9 years in prison for allegedly injuring an officer with a flagpole, while Robert Amaya faces up to 13 years for allegedly threatening an 11-year-old girl with a knife
- The riots cost Los Angeles taxpayers more than $32 million in damages and police overtime, not including National Guard deployment costs
- District Attorney Nathan Hochman has emphasized that legal proceedings will continue despite the protests ending, with federal authorities separately charging 23 additional individuals
Protesters Face Serious Criminal Charges
Los Angeles officials have charged more than 40 individuals in connection with violent anti-immigration riots that erupted in response to federal immigration enforcement operations ordered by President Trump. The charges include attempted murder, assault on peace officers, vandalism, rioting, and animal cruelty, demonstrating the serious nature of criminal behavior disguised as protest activity. Among those charged is a 17-year-old juvenile facing attempted murder charges, highlighting the extreme violence that characterized these demonstrations. District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s office continues to process evidence from weeks of unrest that resulted in hundreds of arrests.
Patrick Munoz, 37, stands accused of injuring a police officer with a flagpole and faces up to nine years and two months in prison if convicted. Similarly, Robert Amaya, 49, allegedly threatened an 11-year-old girl with a knife during the chaos and could serve up to 13 years behind bars if found guilty. These cases demonstrate how far beyond legitimate protest these demonstrations devolved, with innocent children and law enforcement officers becoming targets of senseless violence. The involvement of minors in both perpetrating and being victimized by crimes further underscores the irresponsible nature of these riots.
Animals and Officers Targeted During Unrest
In particularly disturbing incidents, protesters deliberately targeted police horses being used for crowd control. Iran Castro, 29, and Dana Whitson, 66, both face significant prison time for allegedly assaulting mounted deputies’ horses during the riots. Castro could receive up to 10 years and four months in prison, while Whitson faces up to six years and four months if convicted. According to reports, at least five LAPD horses sustained injuries during these confrontations. The willingness of protesters to attack animals demonstrates a complete disregard for both law enforcement and animal welfare.
“The large-scale protests may have ended for now, but our work has not. We are continuing to review evidence, identify suspects, and file charges where the law has been broken. I want to thank the team of investigators and prosecutors for their tireless efforts to ensure that those who committed criminal acts under the guise of protest are held accountable,” Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney.
Twin sisters Antonia Aguilar and Lucia Aguilar Cole, both 27, were also charged after scuffling with police during the demonstrations. The widespread nature of these confrontations led to the LAPD making at least 575 arrests throughout the protests. Beyond the county charges, federal authorities have separately charged 23 individuals with crimes such as assaulting federal officers and conspiracy to impede arrests, showing the multi-jurisdictional response to these serious criminal activities masked as political protest.
Financial Impact on Los Angeles Taxpayers
The financial toll of these anti-ICE riots on Los Angeles has been staggering, with damage and police overtime expenses exceeding $32 million. This figure doesn’t even include the additional costs associated with deploying the National Guard to restore order. While leftist protesters claimed to be standing against federal immigration enforcement, they ultimately imposed a massive financial burden on local taxpayers and destroyed community resources. The initial charges were announced on June 11, with additional charges following on June 17 for various offenses, including arson and looting.
“L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman announced new charges against people at immigration raids protests in L.A., including a man and a woman accused of assaulting law enforcement horses and a teen accused of attempted murder,” Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney.
District Attorney Hochman has made it clear that while the protests may have ended, the legal consequences for those who broke the law will continue to unfold. His office is methodically working through evidence to identify suspects and file appropriate charges. The criminal justice system is now tasked with processing hundreds of cases stemming from these riots, further straining public resources and court systems already dealing with the regular caseload of crimes. This episode demonstrates the real-world consequences when protests against enforcing immigration law devolve into violent riots.
