6 accused of throwing rocks from overpass at CHP officers and SUV during LA protests plead guilty

Six California men accused of throwing rocks, fireworks and debris at California Highway Patrol officers from a downtown Los Angeles overpass during immigration enforcement operation protests pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal charges.

A CHP patrol SUV was set on fire during the violence that broke out during days of protests in June, when federal immigration enforcement operations ramped up in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California.

During protests on June 8, a group gathered on the Main Street overpass in downtown LA threw rocks, fireworks and other objects at CHP officers and their SUV, which was on the 101 Freeway under the bridge. Video showed objects being thrown at law enforcement vehicles stopped on the freeway as officers tried to clear people who were blocking traffic.

At least one of the men posted video of the chaotic scene to his social media account, according to prosecutors.

Three of the men pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges that included felony counts of obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office provided the following details about the suspects and federal charges they are facing.

• Ismael Vega, 41, of Westlake: Pleaded guilty to one felony count of obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder.
• Balton Montion, 25, of Watsonville: Pleaded guilty to one felony count of obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder.
• Junior Roldan, 27, of Hollywood: Pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of simple assault on a person assisting a federal officer.
• Adam Charles Palermo, 40, of Rampart Village: Pleaded guilty to one felony count of assaulting, resisting, and impeding persons assisting federal officers and employees with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
• Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, of Lincoln Heights: Pleaded guilty to one felony count of obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder.
• Ronald Alexis Coreas, 23, of Westlake: Pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of simple assault on a person assisting a federal officer.

Protests over the enforcement operations were largely peaceful and concentrated in part of downtown Los Angeles near federal buildings, including a federal detention center. At the time of the arrests, county prosecutors described the suspects as opportunists who took advantage of the protests to commit crimes.

The LAPD reported clashes in which rocks, bottles, commercial-grade fireworks and other objects were thrown at officers as violence erupted during some of the demonstrations. Protesters also walked onto the freeway, blocking traffic, and all of downtown Los Angeles was declared an unlawful assembly on the night of June 8.

After reports of looting and vandalism June 9, including the Apple Store, Los Angeles declared a limited curfew for 1 square mile of the downtown area. Arrests decreased nightly after the curfew was enforced.