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Feds accuse two people of trying to thwart immigration agents in South LA
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.
(
John Moore
/
Getty Images
)
Topline:
Federal prosecutors say two people have been arrested on suspicion of using their car to try to block immigration agents from doing their job in South Los Angeles. The arrests come as President Donald Trump seeks to step up immigration enforcement across the country.
The arrests: Prosecutors say Gustavo Torres, 28, and Kiara Jamie-Flores, 34, allegedly pulled their car in front of a government car and blocked its pathway at a South L.A. intersection in February. Later, they are alleged to have raced out in front of it again and slammed on the breaks, nearly causing a crash.
The charges: They are charged with “knowingly and recklessly” putting federal agents’ lives in danger and face up to six years in prison if convicted. “Anyone who deliberately gets in the way of immigration officers doing their job will face criminal prosecution and the prospect of doing time in a federal prison cell,” said U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in L.A. and a Trump administration appointee, in a news release. Attorneys for Torres and Jamie-Flores could not be reached before publication.
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Activists: For months, immigrant rights activists have vowed to block Trump’s mass deportation efforts, with some going out on patrols searching for federal agents in communities. Ron Gochez, a spokesman for the Community Self Defense Coalition, said the two people who were arrested were not affiliated with his group. Nonetheless he denounced the arrests. “The Trump administration is sending a message to try to intimidate us,” Gochez said. “We’re not afraid.”
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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