FBI Arrests Los Angeles Man for Supplying Protective Gear to Anti-ICE Protesters
Alejandro Orellana charged in federal sting as Trump administration escalates crackdown on civil unrest in California
The FBI arrested Alejandro Orellana in Los Angeles on Wednesday for allegedly supplying protective equipment to anti-immigration protesters amid a surge of civil unrest following federal immigration enforcement operations. The arrest is part of a broader federal effort to crack down on disorder as political tensions intensify in California.
Orellana is charged with Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders after distributing Uvex Bionic Shield face masks—typically used for industrial protection—to masked demonstrators during protests that erupted on June 9. The riots followed a series of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the city’s fashion district that led to the detention of several undocumented immigrants.
FBI Deputy Director, Dan Bongino, announced the arrest on X, stating, “He chose poorly. Choose wisely.”
Video footage of Orellana handing out the high-impact masks went viral on social media, drawing the attention of federal agents. According to an FBI source, Orellana was apprehended in a sting operation at his residence and taken into custody without incident. While his actions raised questions about potential coordination or funding, federal authorities have not confirmed any links to larger activist groups or outside influence.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a press briefing that the Department of Justice will prosecute individuals involved in the violent protests under federal statutes, including the Hobbs Act, which allows for charges in cases involving obstruction of commerce through robbery or extortion. Bondi emphasized that supplying protective gear to those engaging in riots will be treated as facilitation of criminal activity.
The arrest comes as part of an increasingly aggressive federal response to civil unrest in Los Angeles. On June 9, President Donald Trump invoked Title 10 of the U.S. Code to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to the city without Governor Gavin Newsom’s consent. The move prompted immediate legal action from the state and sharp rebuke from Newsom, who called the deployment an "unmistakable step toward dictatorship."
California state officials allege that federal forces arrived without proper coordination, with LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell stating the department received no formal notification prior to their arrival. The lack of communication has further strained relations between state and federal authorities as protests and legal challenges continue to unfold.
Source: FBI Deputy Director, Dan Bongino