Federal charges against an East L.A. man who distributed face shields at an anti-ICE protest last month have been dropped.
Alejandro Orellana, 29, was federally indicted on July 3 for allegedly passing out face shields and water to protesters at a June 9 demonstration.
U.S. District Judge Serena Murillo dismissed the case on Wednesday, July 30, after U.S. Attorney Bilal “Bill” Essayli asked to drop the charges the day before. The dismissal was “without prejudice,” meaning prosecutors can refile the same charges later if they choose.
Orellana said he felt immediate relief when his attorney called him with the news.
“I knew we were going to win regardless of whether this went to trial or not. But it was just a relief to not have to continue adhering to their restrictions. It really felt like a breaking of the chains,” he said.
The Department of Justice declined to comment on why they requested the dismissal.
On June 12, federal agents raided Orellana’s home in East L.A. and took Orellana into custody. Speaking to the press that day, Essayli said his office has “made it a huge priority to try to identify, locate and arrest those who are involved in organizing, supporting, funding or facilitating these riots that are going on.”
Orellana was released on $5,000 bail on June 13.
According to a complaint issued June 12 by FBI Special Agent Rene Persaud, Orellana was charged with “conspiring to commit civil disorders” and “aiding and abetting civil disorders,” both charges carrying a five-year maximum sentence in federal prison. Orellana pleaded not guilty to both charges at his July arraignment.
“The political theater and evil bravado was an attempt to send a message. The message: Chicanos are not allowed to defend themselves,” Orellana said at a press conference organized by Centro CSO at Mariachi Plaza on Wednesday. He reiterated that protesting is not a crime and called on other charges against protesters to be dropped.
Centro CSO, a Boyle Heights-based grassroots group that Orellana belonged to, called for nationwide action after his arrest. Solidarity protests took place in places like Chicago and Minneapolis and supporters flooded phone lines to pressure Essayli to drop the charges. Fellow Centro CSO members describe Orellana as a longtime supporter of immigrants’ and workers’ rights.
The update follows several other felony charges against protesters that have been dismissed due to false or misleading reports and statements from law enforcement, according to documents obtained by The Guardian. The Justice Department has also dismissed a number of felony assault cases against Angelenos accused of interfering with arrests during recent immigration raids, The Guardian reported.
This story has been updated to include more information about other charges dropped related to protests and raids.