Illegal immigrant arrested for ramming federal vehicles was awarded by LA City Council for 'efforts to safeguard our neighborhoods' from ICE

An illegal immigrant accused of ramming federal vehicles in Los Angeles was given an award by the city council just a few months prior.

44-year-old Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a Mexican national, currently faces charges of assaulting a federal officer following the incident, which occurred during an attempted traffic stop. Parias allegedly rammed his Toyota Camry into law enforcement vehicles after he was boxed in and refused to ignore commands from law enforcement. 

Acting US Attorney Bill Essayli explained that due to the incident, “Ultimately, an agent opened fire, wounding Parias and a deputy US marshal, who was hit with a ricochet bullet.” Both the deputy marshal and Parias are expected to recover.

Parias was taken into custody and faces up to eight years in prison for assaulting a federal officer. The US Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California said, "Parais was the subject of an administrative immigration arrest warrant and had avoided capture before."

Parias is active on TikTok under the handle Richard LA, where he has more than 130,000 followers. His content often includes videos of him following ICE agents in Los Angeles and filming their arrests of illegal immigrants.

Parias was lauded by LA City Council member Curren Price as a “pillar of our community” in the wake of his arrest. Parias whad previously been given award by the city council for his online exposure of ICE raids.

“Richard is a pillar of our community, a fearless citizen journalist whose authentic storytelling has consistently uplifted the unheard voices of South Central Los Angeles,” Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price previously wrote in a statement. “His unfiltered portrayal of real life has fostered a loyal following, both on TikTok and throughout our City.”

The certificate of recognition stated that it was "in honor of your unwavering commitment to keeping the South Los Angeles community informed, empowered, and protected. 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."