A college professor suspected of having affiliations with Antifa — who has referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as Nazis — was apprehended in Chicago late last month for allegedly carrying a loaded firearm to an anti-ICE protest.
Elias Cepeda, who is identified as a faculty member in the English department at Northeastern Illinois University, was arrested on September 26, found in possession of a loaded weapon and several rounds of ammunition during President Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz enforcement in the city.
The Department of Homeland Security claims Cepeda arrived with the loaded gun at a demonstration outside an ICE location in Broadview, Illinois, which has been the center of numerous violent protests.
“Elias Cepeda is known to have connections with the domestic terrorist group ANTIFA and has a documented history of advocating violence against our law enforcement officers,” stated Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“Individuals like Cepeda who resort to violence endanger both the public and law enforcement. Just two days after the tragic shooting incident involving ICE in Dallas, Cepeda brought a firearm and multiple ammunition magazines to our ICE facility in Chicago,” McLaughlin added.
“We are fortunate that law enforcement apprehended Cepeda before he could have harmed anyone. This serves as a serious warning to whoever intends to threaten our law enforcement or any ANTIFA affiliated individuals: President Trump and Secretary Noem are committed to protecting those who safeguard our country from violent extremism and criminal illegal aliens.”
Prior to his arrest, Cepeda’s social media accounts were filled with posts inciting violence against ICE, openly labeling federal agents as Nazis and referencing Antifa.
“[Y]our Nazi asses are lying,” Cepeda tweeted on X in June in response to a DHS announcement regarding an individual arrested for an alleged assault on federal law enforcement officers.
“Furthermore, we would all be morally justified in using weed whackers on your Nazi heads,” he remarked.
Days after President Trump’s inauguration, he suggested that teachers should be armed to defend children from ICE.
“Now that ICE is showing up at elementary schools with weapons and no warrants attempting to terrorize kids, I support the idea of teachers and staff being armed to protect children,” the professor posted.
In a May tweet directed at DHS, Cepeda stated, “Shut up, Nazi.”
He also frequently used the “#Antifa” hashtag in numerous tweets throughout 2020, sharing links that praised the Trump-designated domestic terror group.
In 2022, Cepeda took pride in training a Portland-based transgender cage fighter who shares Antifa sympathies.
“That’s correct, and I’m incredibly proud to train her. Anyone targeting her will have to deal with me too. I’m easy to find,” he tweeted in response to independent journalist Andy Ngo’s post regarding the fighter.
A brief biography for Cepeda on the Northeastern Illinois University webpage describes him as “an experienced journalist” with work in sports coverage, restaurant reviews, and politically charged essays.
“To share his extensive knowledge, Elias developed and taught an Online Summer course for NEIU in 2020: ENGL 374J: Critical Journalism, focusing on the role and politics surrounding the fourth estate,” the bio mentions. “He is currently searching for a PhD program, selectively reviewing approximately fifteen options.”
Local news outlet ABC7 reported that immediately following Cepeda’s arrest, he was a volunteer for Pilsen Defense and Access, a nonprofit organization providing self-defense, anti-bullying, and violence prevention training for marginalized families and children.
Reports indicate that Cepeda was struck in the face with a less-than-lethal round prior to his detention, according to local news sources.
Leila Mendez, Cepeda’s mother, admitted her son was probably armed at the protest against ICE in Broadview.
“My son possesses a legal concealed carry permit, but he did not attend the event with intentions to use it. If you see the video, his hands are raised,” she told ABC7.
It remains uncertain if Cepeda will face any legal charges.
This week, a Chicago grand jury decided against indicting an engaged couple — Ray Collins, 31, and Jocelyn Robledo, 30 — after they were apprehended for allegedly attacking federal agents while carrying loaded firearms outside the ICE facility in Broadview.
Clarification on the grand jury’s decision remains pending, as federal prosecutors dropped their cases against them.
Neither Elias, Pilsen Defense and Access, nor Northeastern Illinois University has responded to The Post’s request for comment.
