A California professor was arrested for allegedly chucking a tear fuel canister at ICE brokers throughout a raid on a marijuana farm being investigated for youngster labor violations.
Jonathan Anthony Caravello — a math and philosophy professor at California State College Channel Islands — was arrested by federal brokers conducting a raid at Glass Home Farms in Ventura County on Thursday, ABC 7 reported.
US Lawyer Invoice Essayli posted on X that Caravello was arrested for “throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement.”
Essayli stated Caravello was charged with “a violation of 18 USC 111,” for allegedly “assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers or employees,” based on federal legislation.
The US lawyer additionally denied claims that the educator was “kidnapped” by federal brokers.
On Friday, the California School Affiliation shared that Caravello was “kidnapped” by federal brokers after protesters and legislation enforcement clashed throughout Thursday’s raid.
The submit claimed that “4 masked agents dragged Jonathan away into an unmarked reason without identifying themselves, without giving the reason for arrest, and without disclosing where they are taking him.”
Nonetheless, a felony grievance obtained by the Ojai Valley Information revealed “dozens of protestors attempt to obstruct the execution of the high-risk search warrant” close to Glass Home Farms.
The affidavit claims that Caravello was seen holding a “megaphone” strolling alongside the yellow police tape, “loudly playing a siren sound” in direction of brokers.
Protestors then later started throwing “rocks” at authorities automobiles, inflicting “large-scale damage, including broken windows, broken side view mirrors, and frame damage to the vehicles.”
Because the escalation continued, brokers deployed tear fuel among the many protestors to disperse them. Caravello was allegedly caught on an agent’s physique digicam footage trying to “kick the canister,” however missed.
“Caravello turned around, ran towards the canister, picked it up, and threw the canister overhand back at BP agents,” the grievance claims.
“A BP Agent reported that the canister was thrown at law enforcement and recalls that the canister came within approximately several feet above law enforcement’s heads.”
Caravello then allegedly left the scene, however about “two hours later,” a person matching his description returned carrying totally different garments, based on the affidavit.
After figuring out he was the person who threw the canister, two border patrol brokers tried to arrest him simply earlier than 6 p.m., based on the felony grievance.
“As BP agents arrested Caravello, they placed him on his stomach on the ground. BP Agent R.C. gave Caravello verbal commands to give law enforcement officers his arms but Caravellowould not comply and attempted to grab a BP Agent’s leg,” the grievance alleged.
“As BP Agent R.C. and other BP agents attempted to detain Caravello, Caravello continuously kicked his legs and refused to give the BP agents his arms.”
Caravello has since been launched from custody on $15,000 bail, with an arraignment set for Aug. 1.
California State College Channel Islands launched an announcement following his arrest, ABC 7 reported.
“At this time, it is our understanding that Professor Caravello was peacefully participating in a protest-an act protected under the First Amendment and a right guaranteed to all Americans. If confirmed, we stand with elected officials and community leaders calling for his immediate release,” the assertion learn.
“The California State University remains committed to the principles of free expression, academic freedom, and due process, and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”
Federal brokers stated they served a warrant on Glass Home Farms after it was accused of hiring and harboring undocumented staff.
Greater than 350 undocumented staff had been arrested within the raids at its places in Carpinteria and Camarillo on Thursday, the Division of Homeland Safety stated in an announcement.
Officers stated that “violent and dangerous criminals” had been arrested in the course of the operation, and “as of July 13, at least 14 migrant children have been rescued from potential exploitation, forced labor, and human trafficking.”
Officers additionally stated that “more than 500 rioters attempted to disrupt operations,” resulting in “four US citizens” being “criminally processed for assaulting or resisting officers.”
Glass Home Farms is now going through alleged youngster labor legislation violations.
Glass Home Manufacturers said in a press launch that they complied with the federal warrants issued and “never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.”
with Submit wires
