Sheriff Targeted With Molotov Horror

Illegal immigrant Emiliano Garduno-Galvez faces up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to hurling a lit Molotov cocktail at sheriff’s deputies defending America from anti-ICE mob violence.

Story Snapshot

Undocumented Mexican national Garduno-Galvez threw incendiary device at Los Angeles County deputies during June 2025 anti-ICE riot in Paramount.
Pleaded guilty October 1, 2025, to possessing unregistered destructive device and civil disorder; sentencing occurred yesterday, January 30, 2026.
Incident disrupted Home Depot operations, enabled thefts, highlighting dangers of unchecked illegal immigration and protest violence.
Prior deportations and 2024 arrests for grand theft and DUI underscore repeated defiance of U.S. law under previous weak-border policies.
Federal accountability sets precedent amid President Trump’s renewed deportation push, protecting officers and communities.

Violent Assault During Anti-ICE Protests

On June 7, 2025, Emiliano Garduno-Galvez, a 23-year-old Mexican national illegally present in the U.S., hid behind a wall in Paramount, California, lit a Molotov cocktail, and threw it at Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies. The flaming bottle landed 15 feet away in a grassy area near law enforcement lines. Protests erupted after Border Patrol appeared near a Home Depot, drawing crowds alerted via social media who escalated with rocks, fireworks, and fires. DHS released video evidence identifying Garduno-Galvez, who fled the scene. This attack risked lives while deputies maintained order amid interference with federal immigration operations.

Suspect’s Criminal History and Illegal Status

Garduno-Galvez entered the U.S. illegally and faced prior deportations, ignoring enforcement under past administrations. His record includes 2024 arrests for grand theft in Anaheim and DUI in Long Beach, showing a pattern of lawlessness. Federal prosecutors charged him with possession of an unregistered destructive device and civil disorder, offenses tied to impeding deputies’ duties. His guilty plea on October 1, 2025, admitted intent, confirming the act disrupted commerce by forcing Home Depot closure and allowing thefts of cinder blocks used as projectiles. Such violence exemplifies frustrations with sanctuary policies shielding criminals.

Federal Response and Guilty Plea

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California pursued charges emphasizing severe penalties for crossing into violence. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated, “When protesting crosses the line into violence, the penalties will be severe.” Garduno-Galvez remains in federal custody awaiting sentencing on January 30, 2026, facing up to 15 years. No injuries occurred from his device, but the incident underscores threats to officers enforcing immigration law. President Trump’s administration prioritizes removing violent criminal aliens, aligning with voter mandates for secure borders and public safety.

Protests stemmed from June 6 ICE raids on a downtown LA warehouse arresting dozens, including a union official. Broader unrest targeted ICE presence at workplaces, schools, and courthouses, polarizing communities. Retailers like Home Depot suffered interruptions, while deputies faced projectiles. Related cases include Wrackkie Quiogue’s guilty plea for a similar device and Jose Francisco Jovel’s charges for unlit Molotovs at a federal building. These events reinforce the need for swift federal action against violence masquerading as protest.

Illegal immigrant gets four years for hurling Molotov cocktail at officers during LA anti-ICE protest https://t.co/kDyNH04Ss1 pic.twitter.com/HjgYBUxNpa

— New York Post (@nypost) January 31, 2026

Impacts on Communities and Enforcement

Short-term effects included heightened law enforcement presence and business shutdowns in LA County. Long-term, federal charges create precedents deterring destructive acts in protests, potentially chilling illegal interference. Immigrant communities face greater scrutiny, while economic disruptions burden taxpayers. Politically, incidents fuel debates on balancing protest rights against officer assaults. Under President Trump, intensified ICE operations post-2024 elections restore order, countering years of open-border chaos, overspending, and eroded sovereignty that conservative Americans rejected.