11 charged in connection to California Antifa riot in January of 2020

In an attempt to curb violence perpetuated by Antifa groups on the west coast, prosecutors have charged 11 alleged Antifa members in connection to a riot that occurred nearly one year ago.

The San Diego County District Attorney's office charged 11 alleged Antifa members this week with charges that include felony conspiracy and felony assault charges, according to an article written for Newsweek by The Post Millennial's editor-at-large Andy Ngo.

These charges stemmed from a January 9 incident in which supporters of former President Donald Trump gathered at Pacific Beach, California to protest the election results.

This group of protestors, as well as bystanders and journalist, were attacked by a large group of people wearing black and riot gear, carrying shield, banners, and signs displaying the logo of Antifa.

"The criminal complaint accuses Alexander Akridge-Jacobs, 31, Jesse Merel Cannon, 31, Joseph Austin Gaskins, 21, Brian Lightfoot, 25, Christian Martinez, 23, Luis Francisco Mora, 30, Bryan Rivera, 21, Faraz Martin Talab, 27, Jeremy Jonathan White, 39, Samuel Howard Ogden, 24, and Erich Louis Yach, 37, of conspiring together and with other unidentified persons to riot and commit violent criminal acts in January," wrote Ngo.

Eight suspects were also issued search and warrants last week in Los Angeles and San Diego County. During this search, police recovered three guns, ammunition, drugs, and body armor.

"The large operation to arrest the suspects involved mutual support from multiple law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Escondido," wrote Ngo. "The case is sending shockwaves through far-left networks in Southern California, who have been raising funds for their comrades."

The charging document states that the defendants are alleged Antifa members, and are part of two groups, based either in Los Angeles County or San Diego County.

"The Defendants are alleged to be affiliated with ANTIFA and are organized into two groups, one originating from Los Angeles and the other from San Diego," reads the charging document.

"ANTIFA is known to use force, fear, and violence to further their own interests and to suppress the interests of others. This tactic is referred to as 'Direct Action' and is known to mean acts of violence such as assault, battery, assault with deadly weapons, arson, and vandalism. The alleged object of this conspiracy was to incite and participate in a riot using direct action tactics," the document added.

San Diego Police said in a statement last week that 16 people were battered in eight different attacks on January 9. In addition to protest attendees being attack, some bystanders, minors, a photographer, and a dog were included in the attacks.

The San Diego District Attorney's Office released a press statement outlining the attacks against minors and a photographer, John Cocozza, who suffered deep bruising after being struck in the back with a long widen stick.

"The Antifa-affiliated group surrounded several minors who they believed to be attending the Patriot March, sprayed them with mace and chased them up the boardwalk, shoving one of the minors to the ground. The minor was surrounded and beaten resulting in the minor victim being taken to the hospital to be treated for a concussion," the statement read.

Erich Yach was charged with "felony conspiracy, felony assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, assault with a stun gun or less-lethal weapon and multiple felonious use of tear gas charges. He is currently wanted on an arrest warrant and his bail will be set at $250,000," according to Ngo.

Samuel Ogden was charged with felony conspiracy and assault.

"Alexander Akridge-Jacobs was arraigned on Thursday and is charged with felony conspiracy and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon," wrote Ngo.

Jesse Cannon was charged with felony conspiracy, felony assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon. "The criminal complaint alleges the San Diego resident pointed out victims for others to assault and threw a chair, bottle and large drink can at his targets. He also allegedly initiated an attack by shoving a victim to the ground," Ngo wrote.

Jonah Abraham Bigel, who was previously charged in May with felony assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism in connection to January 9 riot, is accused in the complaint of striking a victim with a baseball bat. During a search of his home in February, police reportedly found a gun and matching baseball bat.

Luis Mora was arraigned on Monday "on charges of felony conspiracy, felony assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, and three felony counts of tear gas usage," wrote Ngo. He had previously been arrested during the Wi Spa riot in July.

Bryan Rivera was charged with felony conspiracy, assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury and tear gas usage. He was arrested at the Wi Spa riot alongside Mora.

Jeremy White was charged with felony conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of use of tear gas and felony animal cruelty.

Joseph Austin Gaskins was charged with felony conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon. He was previously arrested at a Black Lives Matter-Antifa riot in August of 2020 in San Diego after allegedly striking an officer in the head with a cane. He was charged with assault, resisting arrest and possessing a dagger in connection to that attack. "His current bail is set at $250,000 and he was bonded out on Tuesday," Ngo reported.

Faraz Martin Talab was charged with felony conspiracy, assault with a deadly weapon, tear gas usage and vandalism. Salad was previously arrested for fighting conservative attendees at an anti-Governor Gavin Newsom rally in March.