Man arrested for distributing face shields to agitators at LA anti-ICE riot

A man has been arrested by the FBI Los Angeles division on suspicion of conspiracy to commit civil disorders after video captured him stopping with a truck during the LA anti-ICE riots and distributing face shields to rioters on Tuesday. 

US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli announced on Thursday morning that Alejandro Theodoro Orellana was arrested "on an allegation of Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders (18 USC 371) for distributing face shields to suspected rioters on Tuesday."

"We are moving quickly to identify and arrest those involved in organizing and/or supporting civil disorder in Los Angeles," Essayli said.

Video taken at the scene on Tuesday showed a man sitting in a truck at a Los Angeles intersection as another person in the bed handed out the Bionic Shield face masks and other items to agitators participating in civil unrest.

Also seen providing gear to those in Los Angeles are left-wing nonprofits such as Operation Healthy Hearts. The group reportedly handed out packages that included goggles, face masks, gloves, and a phone number for “jail support.” 

Los Angeles has seen six nights of protests, riots, and violence in response to ICE operations in the area. Wednesday marked the second night that a curfew was in place after LA Mayor Karen Bass instituted it on Tuesday.

Around 400 people have been arrested or detained since Saturday, per AP. The majority of arrests have been for failing to leave the area, with other charges including assaulting police and possession of a Molotov cocktail and a gun. In response to the violence, President Donald Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to protect federal law enforcement actions.