Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, confirmed this week that charges are being brought against several suspects, including a man caught on camera distributing riot gear to protesters on the most destructive night of violence—June 9.
According to a CBS News report, the man, now identified as Alejandro Theodoro Orellana, was seen unloading boxes of heavy-duty face shields from a black pickup truck and handing them out to protesters. Local Fox affiliate footage showed the exchange in real time, prompting concerns from journalists on the scene.
“These aren’t just regular masks—these are preparations for a confrontation,” said Fox Los Angeles reporter Matthew Seedorff. “When people show up masked like this, it’s often to conceal identity during unlawful activity.”
Orellana was arrested by FBI agents on June 12 and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders (18 USC 371). The DOJ believes he played a key role in enabling the violence that erupted that night.
“We’re working quickly to identify those who are facilitating or encouraging civil disorder in the city,” Essayli posted on X. “This is not protected speech. This is organized lawlessness.”
Second Suspect Faces Arson and Assault Charges
A second suspect, Adam Palermo, 39, is also facing serious charges. According to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, Palermo allegedly threw rocks and explosive devices at police officers on the 101 Freeway on June 9.
Authorities say that a day earlier, Palermo threw a large rock from an overpass onto a California Highway Patrol (CHP) vehicle. He then allegedly ignited an incendiary device and tossed it onto a CHP SUV parked on the freeway—setting it ablaze.
Palermo also reportedly posted photos of the damage on social media, boasting about his actions. One caption read: “Of all the protests I’ve participated in—over 100—I take the most pride in what I accomplished today.”
He now faces four felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon against a peace officer, one felony count of arson, and one count of vandalism, with federal charges pending.
Trump vs. California: Political Firestorm Over Riot Costs
As the federal response escalates, so does the political war of words. California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass slammed President Donald Trump for deploying National Guard troops and federal agents to contain the unrest—arguing the $134 million cost could be better spent elsewhere.
“This is a disgraceful misuse of taxpayer dollars that should be going to real needs like fire recovery,” Bass posted on X. “It’s despicable.”
Newsom echoed the outrage, saying, “$134 million could be restoring what wildfires destroyed—not militarizing the streets of LA.”
However, critics were quick to point out California’s enormous spending on illegal immigrants, calling the governor and mayor hypocrites.
“Before you complain about $134 million in federal security funding,” responded Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, “just wait until you realize we’ve spent trillions on illegal aliens.”
GOP strategist Andrew Clark added, “You pulled $9 billion from the state treasury for free healthcare for illegals, and now you’re upset over security costs?”
Filmmaker Robby Starbuck was even more direct: “California dumps hundreds of billions into illegal immigration. That money should be going to American citizens and fire victims, not lawbreakers.”
Data Supports Conservative Claims
According to analyses reviewed by Fox News Digital, California spends tens of billions annually on services for illegal immigrants—including healthcare, education, housing, and legal aid—vastly outpacing the cost of recent federal troop deployments to control riots.
As federal law enforcement escalates its pursuit of riot organizers, the debate over fiscal priorities, border enforcement, and national security continues to boil over in California—where the line between public safety and political theater is growing increasingly thin.