A federal grand jury has indicted Alejandro Orellana, 29, on charges of conspiracy and aiding and abetting civil disorder for distributing protective gear during protests in Los Angeles. The charges stem from mass demonstrations in June opposing immigration raids ordered under the Trump administration.
According to court documents, Orellana and two others were seen on June 9 driving a pickup truck through downtown Los Angeles, handing out Uvex Bionic face shields and other supplies to protesters near a federal building on Los Angeles Street.
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Allegations and Charges
Federal prosecutors allege Orellana helped demonstrators resist non-lethal crowd control measures used by local police and sheriff’s deputies after the protest was declared an unlawful assembly. The indictment is one of over a dozen federal cases tied to the protests.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi to oversee the Central District of California, has taken a hardline stance on protest-related cases.
“We’re coming after all these people,” Essayli said in June. “So let’s be clear: This is the beginning, not the end.”
So far, at least 14 federal cases have been filed in connection with the protests.
When asked about the criminal nature of distributing face shields, Essayli argued that Orellana was assisting violent demonstrators, not peaceful ones.
“He wasn’t handing masks out at the beach,” Essayli told The Los Angeles Times. “They’re covering their faces. They’re wearing backpacks. These weren’t peaceful protesters. They came to do violence.”
He also suggested that remaining at the protest site after it was declared unlawful made individuals participants in a riot.
“Peaceful protesters don’t need face shields,” Essayli added.
Community Response
Orellana, who was arrested by FBI agents on June 12 at the home he shares with his parents, was released the next day following public outcry and support from community groups, including Centro CSO. The organization launched a fundraiser for his legal defense and planned a protest on July 3, calling for the charges to be dropped.
“Orellana is facing 5 years for protesting ICE raids. Protesting is not a crime! Alejandro did nothing wrong!” the group wrote on Instagram.
Carlos Montes, a fellow member of Centro CSO, confirmed that Orellana is a Marine Corps veteran and a UPS employee with no prior criminal record. Montes criticized the charges as politically motivated.
“These are ridiculous charges,” Montes said. “We’re demanding they be dropped. The most it amounts to is he was passing out personal protective equipment — boxes of water, hand sanitizer and snacks.”
Montes also revealed that the FBI seized another group member’s cellphone in late June as part of the investigation.
Orellana faces up to five years in prison if convicted. His court appearance is scheduled for July 3.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has filed protest-related charges against over 40 people, including eight new indictments announced on July 1.
