A 23-year-old man has been handed a four-year federal prison sentence after admitting to hurling a Molotov cocktail at Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies during volatile protests against immigration raids that swept the region last spring.
Details of the Paramount Incident
Emiliano Garduno Galvez, identified by authorities as a Mexican national residing in the United States illegally, pleaded guilty in October to two federal charges: possession of an unregistered destructive device and civil disorder. These charges stem from his actions on June 7 in the city of Paramount, located near Los Angeles. His sentencing was finalised on Friday.
Protest Escalation and Dangerous Act
The incident occurred as sheriff's deputies responded to a large-scale protest outside a Home Depot, where U.S. Border Patrol agents had gathered. Demonstrators were reportedly throwing rocks and other projectiles. According to a plea agreement obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Galvez admitted to retreating behind a wall, igniting the Molotov cocktail, and then launching it toward the area where he had observed deputies positioned.
The incendiary device landed in a grassy patch near the feet of a fellow protester and approximately 15 feet (4.5 metres) from the law enforcement officers. Galvez stated he fled the scene immediately after the throw. The plea agreement explicitly notes he acted with the intent "to obstruct, interfere with, and impede the LASD deputies who were lawfully engaged in performance of official duties."
Official Condemnation and Defence Plea
Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, issued a stern statement following the sentencing. "This defendant’s reckless behavior threatened the lives and safety of law enforcement officers and that of a lawful protester," Essayli declared.
In contrast, Galvez's federal public defenders had advocated for a more lenient three-year sentence. A sentencing memo cited by the Times indicated that Galvez now "readily admits and acknowledges how serious his actions were and the harm that could have ensued."
Context of the Spring 2025 Protests
The June immigration enforcement operations across the Los Angeles region triggered widespread public demonstrations. While many of these gatherings remained peaceful, featuring marches, chants, and signage, others descended into confrontation. These clashes resulted in hundreds of arrests, the deployment of chemical irritants to disperse crowds, and significant property damage in some areas.
Galvez's case represents one of the most severe legal consequences stemming from the protest-related violence, highlighting the serious federal penalties for actions that endanger public safety and law enforcement during civil unrest.
