Feds Charge Alleged LA Riot Instigator Who Handed Out ‘Bionic Shields’
He now faces charges under multiple federal statutes, including conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorders—each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
Federal officials have now confirmed charges against Alejandro Orellana, the man previously identified as distributing “bionic shields” during violent protests in downtown Los Angeles. In a press conference, the U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that Orellana has been taken into custody and charged with multiple federal crimes stemming from his role in aiding violent agitators.
Watch the press conference here:
Attorney General for the Central District of CA says Alejandro Orellana, who handed out face shields to rioters, has been charged federally. He faces up to 10 years in prison.
They are not messing around. I love this. pic.twitter.com/62SfcoBFWt
— Natalie Jean Beisner (@NJBeisner) June 17, 2025
Orellana first gained attention when video footage, shared widely on social media, covered by Legal Insurrection, showed him handing out industrial-grade face shields during a wave of anti-ICE riots in early June. Federal prosecutors now allege those actions were far from spontaneous.
“On June 9, he drove his truck downtown with an unidentified woman to hand out large quantities of face shields to individuals who appear to be engaged in violence and vandalism,” the U.S. Attorney said. “He was not handing them out to peaceful protesters.”
Investigators say the shields were specifically designed to help rioters evade police countermeasures like tear gas and rubber bullets.
“These face shields are designed to protect from chemical splashes and flying debris, which helps protect violent agitators from less-than-lethal weapons deployed by law enforcement.”
When the FBI raided Orellana’s home, they discovered a slingshot-style weapon, ammunition—including rocks and metal BBs—spray paint, goggles, and a notebook containing coded anti-police language: “1312” (commonly shorthand for “All Cops Are Bastards”) and “187” (a slang term for murder).
He now faces charges under multiple federal statutes, including conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorders—each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years.
The Attorney General for the Central District of CA stressed how bad these protests have been:
“Much of the violence has been directed at law enforcement—police officers who are just trying to do their jobs and protect the community,”
As the crackdown on organized protest violence continues, federal authorities appear intent on making examples of those they accuse of facilitating mayhem, not just those caught on camera committing it. A refreshing change from the previous administration.
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Comments
“He now faces charges under multiple federal statutes, including conspiracy to commit civil disorder and aiding and abetting civil disorders—each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years.”
Should be one count for each mask he handed out, sentences to be run consecutively.
Alternatively, if not an American citizen, should be considered to be waging war against the United States and held as a prisoner of war, to be held until the conclusion of hostilities.
Better yet arrest everyone in the mob wearing masks carrying a shield or any normally benign tool which, in context of mob/riots is useful for attacking LEO or defending against crowd control measures.
IOW – tell the mob to disburse then if they refuse…slam the exit shut and lock it…’now youse can’t leave’ and unwillingness to comply is met with gradually escalating levels of force required to gain compliance.
I’m pretty sure those face shields were just to prevent the legal protestors from catching COVID. Can’t be too careful.
This puke is just the tip of the iceberg. The prosecutors need to dig deeper and check the receipts.
How much do these face masks cost? How did this puke procure them and pay for them. I would wager that the masks are expensive. Someone else is footing the bill for this equipment.
I’ve seen quotes of $60 each…
In other words, who or what was financing all this? I wonder if any of this can be traced back to the CCP or the DemoncRat party.
Is there a difference?
Not really, since DemoncRats are now the Disloyal Opposition.
Probably Soros money laundered through bogus NGOs.
Bionic Shields are BS.
yeah
I LIKE THIS
it would have been more interesting if
lee majors had been handing out those shields
Jamie Sommers….no toxic masculinity!
Andy Ngo reports arrests are happening in Portland. Not sure if any are starting in Seattle.
The shooting in Utah is not getting much coverage (because an antifa rioter was the shooter and another rioter was the victim).
I’m hoping they are using the doubling down on deportations to draw more fouls and more felonies from these terrorists. I have a notion that ICE / DHS knows who all of these people are and will be doing round ups soon.
Fingers crossed that they are going to be letting them run wild and completely on camera while drawing more felonies as they go. Life sentences for these terrorists would make blue cities 10% less awful.
Seriously doubt any arrests will be forthcoming in Seattle. Why:
1. The AG in WA stands firmly behind the illegals.
2. The local sheriff is appointed by the county exec, so both are all in in protecting “our neighbors” from unpleasant consequences like ICE deporting them.
3. The chief of police in Seattle recently declared he expects to be arrested by that Trump meanie and jailed because he will not honor ICE detainers . . . etc etc and so forth and so on. You get the idea.
Arrests of Antifa are fairly common even in the cities the LARPers rule like Portland and Seattle. What almost never happens are prosecutions. The rioters are let go within a few hours and are right back at it within a day or two.
The rioters can pick each other off for all I care.
Considering the group he was associated with I’m surprised his immigration status has not been put out there one way or the other. They really do need to not only go after the rioters but those funding it. Every left wing group that has a hand in shoveling money to these people needs to be shut down and the people in charge arrested
“These face shields are designed to protect from chemical splashes and flying debris, which helps protect violent agitators from less-than-lethal weapons deployed by law enforcement.”
So then, they are arms, as protected by the Second Amendment. Same as ballistic vests
You want to get this guy, get him for something that is actually criminal, like aiding and abetting an actual crime — not for a bogus charge that does nothing but help leftie destroy the rights of normal people.
It’s not legal to use arms in the commission of a crime.
Exactly. The crime is that he was handing them out to rioters. Had he been giving them to peaceful protesters there would have been no crime.
It’s not just the face masks. Who paid for the pallets of concrete blocks? Who paid for all the bike locks? Who paid for the transportation? Who is paying these protesters to protest. Throwing objects from bridges is a felony. Imepeding travel on Interstate Highways is a felony, as it impedes interstate commerce. Quit allowing these cities and states from turning a blind eye as federal officers are attacked. Arrest city and state officials for actively aiding a civil disturbance by non-action. Take the gloves off. Please take the gloves off.
That’s a contradiction in terms. Inactivity is, by definition, not active! As Aristotle and Rand taught us, A is not Not-A.
What will be interesting is if the feds put the squeeze on him to give up who he was working with and who was paying for all those masks.
Hopefully, the feds can come up with some additional, more serious, counts to threaten to add, such that this turkey will roll on the others.
Round up and arrest those he names. Rinse and repeat until you get to the really big fishes.
Then nuke those folks from orbit.