Welcome to Arrest Stories. A thirty-seven-year-old professor faces twenty years in prison after allegedly hurling federal agents' own tear gas canister back at them during a chaotic immigration raid protest at a California marijuana facility. Here's what may have happened.
On July tenth, federal agents conducted simultaneous raids on marijuana facilities in Camarillo and Carpinteria, arresting three hundred sixty-one purported undocumented immigrants in what officials called one of the largest operations since President Trump took office. At Glass House Farms, the operation quickly turned volatile when protesters arrived to oppose the raid.
Jonathan Caravello had spoken at a Camarillo city council meeting the night before his arrest. When Border Patrol agents deployed tear gas for crowd control during the protest, Caravello allegedly ran toward one of the canisters, attempted to kick it, then picked it up and threw it back overhand at the federal agents.
According to official reports, Caravello left the protest and returned two hours later wearing different clothing. When agents moved to arrest him, he allegedly kicked his legs and refused to give agents his arms during the detention process.
The situation escalated as protesters used their bodies and vehicles to block law enforcement from leaving the facility. Some threw rocks at agents' vehicles, breaking windows and side-view mirrors.
The California Faculty Association claimed on social media that four masked agents dragged Jonathan away into an unmarked car without identifying themselves. However, federal officials stated that agents deployed tear gas for safety and crowd control purposes.
Caravello defended his actions, saying anything and everything he does at protests is to protect people and that he would never intentionally harm anyone. He described being piled on by multiple agents while peacefully participating in what he considered First Amendment-protected protest activity.
Officials reported rescuing fourteen migrant children from what appeared to be exploitation and forced labor during the operation. Caravello was released on fifteen thousand dollars bond.
All suspects presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Do not take this report as factual, always verify facts. Thanks for watching Arrest Stories.