It’s one thing to protest the Trump Administration’s heavy-handedness of arresting undocumented immigrants who have come to Los Angeles to better their lives, but Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman draws the line when it comes to torching a California Highway Patrol car and looting an Apple store.
These were just two of the infractions allegedly committed, in which Hochman announced today that 30 people have been charged with a variety of criminal offenses such as assaulting police officers, using a destructive device to cause injury and looting during the immigration protests in Downtown Los Angeles over the past two weeks.
“While we will always defend the right to peacefully protest, we will not disregard criminal behavior that puts the lives of officers and others at risk or compromises public safety,” said Hochman said. “There is a clear and distinct line between lawful expression and unlawful conduct. Our job as prosecutors is to ensure those who engage in violence and destruction are held accountable for their actions.”
Among the cases that have been recently filed or will be filed:
Adam Palermo, 39, is being charged with four felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and one felony count each of arson and vandalism.
On June 8, at about 7 p.m., Palermo is accused of throwing a large rock at a California Highway Patrol vehicle from an overpass on the 101 Freeway. He also allegedly lit an object on fire and threw it onto a CHP SUV that was parked on the freeway. The vehicle caught fire. If convicted, Palermo faces up to nine years and eight months in state prison.
William Rubio, 24, of Los Angeles, who is charged with two felony counts each of assault upon a peace officer and use of a destructive device to injure or destroy.
On June 8, at about 11:45 p.m., police were responding to the intersection of First and Spring streets where protesters had gathered. Rubio is accused of throwing fireworks at officers that he had in a backpack. A search of Rubio’s backpack revealed additional fireworks. If convicted, Rubio faces up to eight years and eight months in prison.
Terrill Tillis, 31, of Wilmington, who is charged with one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon and one misdemeanor count of giving or receiving a large-capacity magazine.
On June 11, at about 12:30 a.m., Tillis was detained at the corner of Third and Spring streets for being out past a Los Angeles city-mandated curfew. He allegedly had a loaded firearm with 15 rounds in the magazine. If convicted as charged, Tillis faces up to six years and six months in prison.
Antonio DeLaRosa, 44, of Lynwood, is being charged with one felony count of discharge of a laser at an aircraft.
On June 12, at about 9 p.m., DeLaRosa was in the area of a protest in San Pedro when he allegedly pointed a green laser at a LAPD helicopter several times. If convicted as charged, DeLaRosa faces up to three years in prison.
Eddie Lee Baldwin, 39, Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count of second-degree commercial burglary.
On June 9, at about 11:45 p.m., Baldwin is accused of being in a group of people who forced their way into an Apple Store in the 800 block of South Broadway to loot items. If convicted as charged, he faces up to six years in prison.
