A man from California found himself facing more than three years behind bars for his actions in a violent face-off during last year’s anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles. The individual, after admitting his guilt, was penalized for deliberately targeting law enforcement officers amidst the turmoil.
On Monday, 42-year-old Ismael Vega from the Westlake area of Los Angeles, received a 37-month prison sentence. Additionally, he was ordered to reimburse $253,415 as restitution for his involvement in the June 8, 2025, incident, as revealed by the Justice Department.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli remarked, “Those who attack our brave officers protecting public safety will face federal prison time for their crimes. Let this be a warning to others who think they can act without consequences.”
Earlier in April, Vega entered a plea of guilty to charges of obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder.
Court documents unfolded Vega’s presence amidst a significant gathering on the Main Street overpass above U.S. Highway 101. The protest, initially aimed at federal immigration enforcement, spiraled into violence.
Prosecutors said Vega knew California Highway Patrol officers were trapped beneath the overpass when rioters began dropping burning debris, fireworks and other objects toward a California Highway Patrol (CHP) patrol vehicle parked below.
Federal prosecutors identified Ismael Vega as one of the people involved in the June 2025 anti-ICE riot on the Main Street overpass in downtown Los Angeles. (The United States Department of Justice)
Court records show Vega repeatedly helped others ignite debris before setting a large piece of cardboard on fire himself. He then held the burning cardboard over the railing, lined it up with the hood of the CHP vehicle and dropped it onto the cruiser.
As the cardboard burned, Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, poured a liquid onto the flames, causing the fire to grow as Vega stood nearby and gestured toward the blaze, according to prosecutors.
Vega also admitted throwing multiple rocks at officers as they attempted to clear the overpass. He acknowledged that the burning debris and other objects created a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury to the officers below.
Federal prosecutors say people on the Main Street overpass ignited debris that was later dropped toward California Highway Patrol officers during anti-ICE riots in downtown Los Angeles on June 8, 2025. (The United States Department of Justice)
“This civil disorder stood apart in its magnitude,” federal prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memorandum.
Prosecutors cited a statement from a CHP sergeant with nearly three decades in law enforcement who described the impact the attack had on him and his son.
“His experience underscores how violent this incident became and the deep toll it took on all law enforcement present,” prosecutors wrote.
The attack unfolded two days after violence erupted against federal agents carrying out immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles.
People gather along the Main Street overpass overlooking U.S. Highway 101 as a California Highway Patrol vehicle burns below during anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles. Federal prosecutors say burning debris and rocks were dropped from the overpass toward officers beneath it. (The United States Department of Justice)
Federal prosecutors previously charged seven people in connection with the overpass attack.
According to court documents, Vega, Flores and Adam Charles Palermo, 40, helped drop burning debris toward the CHP vehicle while others threw rocks at officers trying to clear the overpass.
Vega is the fifth person sentenced in the case.
Flores is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 3 and faces up to five years in federal prison.
Palermo, whom prosecutors identified as the lead person charged in the case, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 14 after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting and impeding people assisting federal officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon. He faces up to 20 years in prison.