In a surprising turn of events, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has dropped all charges against Alejandro Orellana, a 29-year-old anti-ICE activist from East Los Angeles, who was indicted for distributing face shields to protesters during anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrations in Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. The decision, filed under the direction of Todd Blanche, came through a motion to dismiss all charges without prejudice, which was granted by a federal court. No detailed reasoning was provided in the filing, leaving many to speculate about the motivations behind the abrupt dismissal. Sources suggest internal pushback from career prosecutors within the DOJ played a significant role in the decision, raising questions about the case’s handling and its broader implications.
Orellana, a member of the Boyle Heights-based organization Centro CSO, faced charges of conspiracy to aid and abet civil disorders, which carried a potential five-year prison sentence. Federal prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Bilal “Bill” Essayli, alleged that Orellana drove a Ford F-150 pickup truck loaded with Uvex Bionic face shields, masks, water bottles, and other supplies, distributing them to protesters near a federal building on Los Angeles Street. The DOJ claimed these items were intended to help protesters withstand less-lethal munitions, such as rubber bullets and tear gas, deployed by Los Angeles police and county sheriff’s deputies after an unlawful assembly was declared. Essayli, a Trump-appointed prosecutor, argued that Orellana’s actions specifically aided “violent rioters” rather than peaceful demonstrators, asserting that “peaceful protesters don’t need face shields.”
The case drew significant attention due to its political undertones. Essayli, a former California Assemblyman known for his conservative stance, had vowed to aggressively pursue individuals interfering with ICE operations. The indictment followed a high-profile FBI raid on Orellana’s family home on June 12, supported by the National Guard and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. The raid, which sparked backlash from local residents and activist groups, was part of a broader crackdown on anti-ICE protests that saw over 40 individuals charged with protest-related offenses. Orellana, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran with no prior criminal record, became a focal point for both supporters and critics of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Supporters of Orellana, including Centro CSO and the Committee to Stop FBI Repression, rallied behind him, organizing protests and press conferences to demand the charges be dropped. They argued that distributing protective gear, such as face shields, was not a crime but a necessary response to documented instances of police using excessive force, including firing rubber rounds and tear gas at protesters, journalists, and bystanders. Carlos Montes, a longtime Centro CSO member, accused Essayli of targeting the organization for its pro-immigrant activism, citing the seizure of another member’s cellphone as part of the investigation. The Los Angeles Times reported incidents of severe injuries caused by police munitions, lending credence to claims that protective equipment was essential for protester safety.
The dismissal of Orellana’s charges has fueled speculation and polarized reactions. Some, particularly Trump allies, have labeled the decision as evidence of “deep-state” interference, suggesting that career prosecutors undermined Essayli’s efforts to protect left-leaning activists. Posts on X echoed this sentiment, with users like @Rightanglenews and @AFpost framing the dismissal as a setback for law enforcement efforts against rioters. Conversely, activist groups celebrated the decision as a victory for free speech and the right to protest. The Committee to Stop FBI Repression called for continued action against ICE raids, emphasizing that Orellana’s activism was a model for resistance against deportations.
The lack of clarity in the DOJ’s filing has left many questions unanswered. Former federal prosecutor Carley Palmer noted that such dismissals could stem from new evidence, grand jury refusals to indict, or concerns about prosecutorial overreach. The rapid dismissal of at least eight other felony cases related to the protests, as reported by The Guardian, suggests broader issues with the DOJ’s approach. For now, Orellana’s case underscores the tension between federal authorities and activist communities in Los Angeles, with implications for the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and protest rights.
