Judge Dismisses Charges for TikToker Shot by ICE in South LA Raid
A federal judge has dismissed all charges against Carlitos Ricardo Parias, a TikTok streamer known as Richard LA, who was shot by federal agents during an immigration operation in South Los Angeles last October. The judge highlighted significant violations in Parias’ legal process, including ineffective access to his legal counsel while in detention.
Dismissing Charges: Key Reasons
The ruling stemmed from multiple failures on the government’s part, notably failing to adhere to discovery deadlines. This included not releasing body camera footage in a timely manner, which is crucial for transparency in such incidents.
Incident Overview
- Date of Incident: October, specific time 8:52 a.m.
- Location: 400 block of East 20th Street, near Trinity Street, South Los Angeles
- Involved Persons: Carlitos Ricardo Parias (Richard LA) and a deputy U.S. marshal
The confrontation began as a targeted traffic stop of an undocumented immigrant who had previously evaded capture. Parias was accused of ramming his Toyota Camry into law enforcement vehicles after agents boxed him in. However, video footage from the scene has prompted scrutiny of these claims.
Government’s Position
Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security stated that Parias “weaponized his vehicle,” claiming he attempted to flee the scene. The agents felt they had to act to protect themselves and the public, resulting in defensive shots being fired.
Charges and Outcomes
The primary charge against Parias was assault on a federal officer, with the trial scheduled to begin recently. However, due to the judge’s ruling, the indictment was dismissed with prejudice, meaning prosecutors cannot refile the same charges against him.
Despite the charges being dismissed, Parias may still remain in custody as his immigration case proceeds.
