A man wearing a mask who evaded authorities after throwing a large cinderblock at ICE vehicles during a riot in Los Angeles could be looking at up to 20 years behind bars. Elpidio Reyna, 41, was captured on video launching rocks at the cruisers as they drove past him near Home Depot in Paramount on June 7. He managed to escape, landing himself on the FBI’s ‘most wanted’ list, but was apprehended a month later at the US-Mexico border by the same agent he had targeted.
Reyna, a resident of Compton, entered a guilty plea on Tuesday to a felony charge of assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, resulting in bodily harm. First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli expressed the severity of Reyna’s actions, stating that he could have potentially caused serious harm or even death to a federal officer or innocent bystander. He emphasized that violence against law enforcement is not protected under the constitution and will be met with swift justice. Essayli also warned that those who engage in similar violent acts will face arrest, charges, and conviction in a court of law.
After the attack, Reyna initially fled to Mexico in an attempt to evade authorities. However, he was apprehended by Mexican officials in Sinaloa and later agreed to surrender to the FBI. He was taken into custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry. Attorney General Pamela Bondi emphasized that individuals who harm law enforcement officers will be pursued relentlessly, regardless of their attempts to flee.
Reyna is scheduled for sentencing on August 7 and could potentially receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in a federal prison. The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in violent acts against law enforcement and the commitment of authorities to bring perpetrators to justice.
