Man Sentenced to Over Three Years in Federal Prison for Violent Anti-ICE Protest in Los Angeles

A man has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison for his role in a violent anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles last year.

Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, pleaded guilty in April to one federal count of obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder. He was sentenced on Monday to 37 months in federal prison and was also ordered to pay $253,415 in restitution.

Flores admitted to being part of a violent protest on the Main Street overpass of the Hollywood (101) Freeway on the evening of June 8, 2025, according to his plea agreement.

Law enforcement officers were on the freeway below as protesters threw rocks, chunks of concrete, scooters, street signs, fireworks and burning debris at them.

Flores poured lighter fluid from two bottles onto a burning CHP vehicle, causing the flames to intensify, according to prosecutors. He also threw an electric scooter over the overpass railing near CHP vehicles and officers below.

Flores, who prosecutors say is an undocumented immigrant, admitted in his plea agreement that he knew the officers were under the freeway overpass and understood throwing objects and burning debris created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to the officers.

"Violent attacks on law enforcement will result in federal prison time," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Monday.

"Those who escalate chaos and endanger officers will be held accountable. Today's sentence reflects our commitment to protecting the men and women sworn to keep our communities safe."

Police said over 500 arrests were made during the protests that tore through LA last June.

They erupted after ICE agents detained large groups of undocumented immigrants in the fashion district in Downtown LA, home to a large Latino population.