A federal grand jury indicted a math professor at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) who is charged with throwing a tear gas canister at federal agents during and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid a marijuana farm in Camarillo this summer.
Jonathan Caravello, 37, of Ventura, is charged with one count of assault on a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon, the Department of Justice (DOJ) states.
Caravello, who is free on $15,000 bond, is expected to be arraigned in the coming weeks in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
According to the first superseding indictment and court documents previously filed in this case, on July 10, federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Border Patrol, escorted by the U.S. National Guard, executed a search warrant at a Glass House marijuana farm sitting on a 160-acre property in Camarillo.
A large group of protestors gathered near the farm exercising their First Amendment right to protest the increase of ICE activity and widespread reports of illegal behavior conducted by agents.
In a press release, the DOJ states the protestors gathered near law enforcement personnel around the farm’s entrance and used their bodies and their vehicles to impede law enforcement from exiting the location.
The DOJ continues to state that protesters became violent, throwing rocks at the government vehicles attempting to depart the location that broke windows and side-view mirrors, among other damage to the vehicles.
Federal agents conducted raids at both Glass House farms locations in Camarillo and Carpinteria on the same day. Community members protested these raids in both locations. While the protest in Carpinteria was peaceful, federal agents still deployed gas canisters at the crowd which many people on the scene deemed “unnecessary” and “aggressive” to a peaceful crowd.
“For agents’ safety, law enforcement deployed tear gas among the protesters to assist with crowd control, ensure officer safety, and to allow law enforcement to depart the location. Border Patrol agents rolled tear gas canisters by protesters’ feet and Caravello ran up to one of the canisters and attempted to kick it. After the canister rolled past him, Caravello turned around, ran towards the canister, picked it up, and threw it overhand back at Border Patrol agents,” the DOJ states.
DOJ continues by stating Border Patrol agents eventually arrested Caravello, who continuously kicked his legs and refused to give agents his arms during the arrest.
Witnesses on the scene dispute the DOJ’s portrayal of events and its charges against Caravello, who also volunteers as an immigrant advocate.
According to reporting from The Guardian, witnesses stated ICE agents launched tear gas and rubber bullets into the crowd and saw Caravello helping a fellow protestor who uses a wheelchair. He allegedly attempted to remove a canister stuck beneath the wheelchair.
“John is not guilty, and we have witnesses to attest to that,” says colleague Theresa Montaño. “He’s a seasoned organizer. He would never throw anything at a federal agent.”
The DOJ has yet to present its evidence against Caravello outside of a press release announcing formal charges.
CSUCI issued an official statement on the arrest saying they are currently gathering additional information to fully understand the circumstances of the incident.
“At this time, it is our understanding that Professor Caravello was peacefully participating in a protest—an act protected under the First Amendment and a right guaranteed to all Americans. If confirmed, we stand with elected officials and community leaders calling for his immediate release. The California State University remains committed to the principles of free expression, academic freedom, and due process, and will continue to monitor the situation closely,” the college stated.
The California Faculty Association also issued a public statement condemning the “abduction and disappearance” of Caravello following the raid.
According to a DHS press release issued days after the raid, the department claims at least 361 individuals and 14 children were detained during the operation. DHS released an initial tally of 200 individuals and 10 children one day after the event, but did not explain the discrepancy in numbers and has not provided evidence these numbers, including the children allegedly found at the farm, are legitimate claims.
Additionally, Jaime Alanis Garcia, a third-party contractor working at the Camarillo farm, died from fall injuries sustained during the raid. Also, an employee of the security contractor for the Camarillo farm, George Retes, was detained for three days without charges. He is a US citizen and Army veteran.
If convicted, Caravello would face a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
Related Articles
https://www.edhat.com/news/glass-house-farms-issues-statement-refuting-dhs-claims-following-ice-raids/
https://www.edhat.com/news/dhs-releases-more-information-on-ice-raid-at-central-coast-farms/
https://www.edhat.com/news/carpinteria-community-responds-to-ice-raids-with-emergency-city-council-actions/
https://www.edhat.com/news/200-arrested-in-ice-raids-at-local-marijuana-farms-one-person-died-with-several-others-arrested-and-injured/
https://www.edhat.com/news/update-ice-raids-glass-house-farms-in-carpinteria-with-national-guard-prompting-large-protest/
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This is an example of a true patriot standing his ground against an oppressive federal government.
100%. And all the bootlickers need a good licking in the mirror
That could be a heavy prison sentence for Caravello if convicted. I suspect he’ll probably get a few slaps on the hand for assaulting federal agents, but hey – maybe not. Great role model. “Seasoned organizer” apparently includes violent crime in his case. Awesome.
would like to see proof this “assault” ever happened.
I bet he was right in there and lobbed a smoke bomb right back at the agents. Tons of cell phone footage on the protestor side, and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s exactly what’ll get him sentenced. But hey, just a guess.
If true, the DOJ should show this evidence like the whole innocent until proven guilty thing.
Basic – No way he gets a “slap on the wrist.” Trump/Noem are not Biden & Mayorkas and they will push for time. If convicted he will do some time. If the case is dropped/not convicted he might have a civil case. A defense could be “I’m just an Obama type noodle arm and he knew no one it hit could get hurt.”
Droolie in defense of fascism, as is his wont.
Anon – I don’t defend nor support facism. The “nutty professor” reportedly violated the law and was arrested.
Yet here you are, defending fascism. Actions speak louder than lies.
DOULS – if you truly don’t, why do your comments keep supporting fascism? Are you just lying?
Cowards always applaud from the sidelines when brave men are persecuted.
It’s been more than 3 months and we still don’t love Trump … because we aren’t appallingly stupid, ignorant, and dishonest.
Bootlicker university
and there is no jury in our state that would agree to find him guilty as charged. good luck with that fascist dream…
SB – If true, DOJ won’t drop charges and evidence will be presented at trial.
The cannister landed next to (or under depending on the source) a person in a wheelchair. This guy grabbed it and threw it back.
Any true American would do the same.
People in wheelchairs aren’t a threat. Peaceful protests aren’t a threat. ICE did was ICE does: fascism.
Oh, you saw he was defending the guy that was rioting from a wheelchair. What a relief. He should be good to go then!
Fuk ICE, and Fuk all puppets and quislings.
rioting from a wheelchair. this proves m y point about your statements. this one is the worst and best at the same time. so lame i doubt you even believe it yourself.
Basic claims to be a physician that worked his way up. Doctors go to medical school. Doctors don’t have time to troll all day.
Basic – what if that cannister had accidentally landed next to your 12 year old?
Who takes a 12yo to a weed farm protest against LE?
Laughable.
Good thing there’s no evidence anyone did that. Were you uncharacteristically busy that day?
Where do you take them?
you are just a mean spirited individual with a very nasty disposition
So BI judges the outcome before there has been a trial. Your 12 year old might not be proud of you skirting democracy like this.
Not at all. I’m just guessing. Let the criminal justice system work it out. That’s how it works.
LOL “assault”.
You have no idea what happened but you suck on that government propaganda. And of course the government has had to drop charges against many many people who they were lying about.
The only violent crimes in this episode were perpetrated by ICE.
So you’re saying a Federal Grand Jury has looked at all the evidence and is making this up? Ehh….don’t think so. But hey, keep dreaming. This dude got into it with federal law enforcement just like a bunch other riotous, militant protestors. Breaking the law has costs.
BASIC doesn’t understand how a grand jury indictment works. They don’t determine anything other than the evidence from the prosecution (usually just witness statements) shows enough probable cause that a crime may have been committed. That is a very low bar. An indictment is not a conviction. The grand jury can’t “make this up.”
Learn stuff dude.
I completely understand that. You’re just defending someone who’s indicted and may well wind u0 in prison for a long time. Remember?
BASIC – no, you clearly do NOT “understand that.” Your very next sentence is about “defending someone who’s indicted.” That shows again how little you know about this. An indictment is nothing. It’s akin to an arrest by a cop. No trial, no cross examination of the prosecution’s witnesses, no discovery phase, no rebuttal, no countering evidence, no nothing other than a bunch of people who CHOSE to be grand jurors determining that the prosecution presented just enough to warrant a trial to see if the guy actually did those things.
It’s not the same as “defending a criminal.” That’s something you do here every single day.
Unless you are Jeanine Pirro – not only can she NOT indict a ham sandwich, she can’t even charge a guy who threw a sandwich at a federal officer. Complete and total failure and disregard for law in this disgusting GOP MAGA soup you voted for. MAGACRATS want big intrusive government, so here you are.
Yeah, we know, you’d never put yourself at risk to stand up for others. I think there’s a word for that?
He doesn’t understand the grand jury process. The accused doesn’t even have a defense lawyer present. Hence the phrase “you can indict a ham sandwhich”. I wouldnt expect a deckhand/surf bum to know the law.
ICE is committing heinous atrocities and has torn up the constitution – but let BasicKnowledge defend it as usual.
lets see some proof Basic.
also explain how pulling a tear gas can from a wheelchair is a violent crime. you’re loosing this one fast man….
@Basic – cowards who waste their life away in a cubicle , posting their day away on the Internet, are the best populists. I’m sensing a receptionist or a tech in a clinic?
Sad for you. I’ve never worked in a cubicle – but why rip on folks who do that? Shows your level of character. Work is work.
I’m not a receptionist or a tech in a clinic. But I’ll tell ya tough guy, I did work my way up from the bottom as a volunteer MA in clinics around here to becoming a physician – just to clarify since you are confused, and sound like a weird stalker.
Hell, I’ve emptied plenty of trash cans, given shots, made food, swept floors, emptied bait tanks, cleaned up puke, pronounced people dead, and scrubbed innumerable surfaces. I’ve had jobs that weren’t pretty or fun. What’s wrong with work? Work is good. It’s good to like to work, work hard, and take pride in doing a good job in whatever job you have. That’s the best way to get ahead and make a way in the world.
Too bad you never tried it.
Wait…If the canister is considered a “deadly or dangerous weapon”, why were the ICE thugs using it?
Exactly. Maybe he could argue self defense?
If someone assaults you, you have the right to deflect the assault. In this case, throwing it back. Maybe, but not likely. Still though. He was attacked for exercising his 1st Amendment rights. ICE is not above the law.
Sacjon glad you mentioned 1st amendment rights. Don’t forget to defend the 2nd most important right to exercise!!!.
that is by far not the most important right. freedom of speech is the number 1.
SAIL – yeah, so you would have been ok with people exercising their 2A rights to protect us against a tyrannical government like this! Glad to hear that!
So, on the topic of the 2A since you brought it up, how do you feel about a ban on trans people from having 2A rights?
I don’t know why you would think I have a problem with trans people? It is definitely not used to determine eligibility to purchase a firearm or a question on the background check.
Yeah, they’d all be in those “camps”, anyway.
Why do support the violent assault of police officers?
they are not police officers. they are masked violent thugs. they themselves shoot protestors and throw tear gas at them. that is unconstitutional and also dangerous, but if someone tosses it back to them it’s wrong? really? Zip, you just love to troll people and make upsetting lame comments to agitate others.
Klein – Last time I heard of national guard shooting anyone was in ’69 or ’70. What did I miss? You are the person making “upsetting & lame” comments to “agitate others” if this is the only shooting event involving the guard.
Droolie – The topic is ICE thugs, not the National Guard. Try to follow along.
do some reading before you post. it’ll do you good…..no one said national guard. except for you. my prior comment stands firm.
Why do comment pidgin?
ZPP – this was not a “violent assault of police officers.”
Jan 6th was.
ICE are not cops. They are rejects who have been paid to skip all the training that makes people actual good police officers so they can go straight to harassing hard working, tax paying people based on their skin color. These are in no way “police officers.”
But, since you brought it up…. why do you support the violent beating and chemical assaults on ACTUAL police officers?
Don’t run away like a 😺again. Answer the question.
They were interfering with legal valid judge issued warrants. They were trying to help criminals escape.
You are incredibly gullible.
DOULS – “Obama type noodle arm”
LOL whatever tough guy. Obama now could wipe the floor with you AND Trump at the same time. You wannabe “alphas” (you’re not) are pathetic. Trump can’t wipe his own a$$ anymore (see the golf photo). He, like his followers, is soft-brained and soft-willed. Heck, even Biden is in better shape.
Explain how a tear gas canister is a “non-lethal projectile” if ICE shoots them (with far more velocity) indiscriminately at unarmed, peaceful protesters (this one almost striking a person in a wheelchair), but is then a “deadly or dangerous weapon” if a protester throws it back?
Also, still waiting on any shred of evidence those “minors” were working there and that they were even “minors.”
So far, ICE has been the laughing stock of the courts as their claims keep getting thrown out. What a government, huh?
BASICBOOTGUZZLE – “rioting?” “Violent protest?”
Since when? Yeah, people threw rocks at the cars AS THEY WERE LEAVING.
From ICE’s own admission: “The DOJ continues to state that protesters became violent, throwing rocks at the government vehicles attempting to depart the location…”
“Depart” is a word that means leave. They threw rocks AFTER the tear gas was fired at unarmed, peaceful protesters.
Why do you lie so hard? Do their boots taste that good? What does it feel like to suck on that leather heal as it presses down on your rights? Must be delicious given how much you go back for more.
So tell us more about these violent riots of yours, bootlicking liar.
Grasp at straws much? Try respecting the law.
Respect the law, ZIPs?
You mean like the laws against raping children and beating police officers (not paid racists) with flag poles and fire extinguishers while tear gassing them?
Those laws?
LOL, no, those days are over. You don’t get it. Trump is president. The only law is what you can get away with.
ICE is hiring Proud Boys and Oath Keepers members and giving them a $50,000 bonus to join the team. That’s a dream come true for a NAZl. ICE is a federally funded criminal terror squad.
Throwing a projectile at a federal agent = bad idea.
ZIPS – what “inane lies” are you talking about? Name one.
Right wingers are fundamentally bad people.
MARCEL – many are, yes, but there are still some Republicans out there that have some morals and decency. Now, as for Trump supporters, yes, they cannot be good people. It’s impossible to support what Trump does and to be a good person. Absolutely. 100%.
That right there is why the left is losing, and will continue to lose.
Who are you to judge anyone? Myopic ignorance / TDS.
Were you born on the big island?
More willful ignorance from JK the fool.
KAPO – supporting child rapists and racist policies make you a bad person. That’s an objective fact based on what we, as a human race, have decided are evil and horrible things.
It’s very easy. You cannot be a good person if you are OK with:
– Giving child rapists a free pass
– Moving a convicted child rapist to a country club prison because she said nice things about your leader
– Pardoning actual, violent criminals (many with priors for rape, child molestion and spousal abuse) who mercilessly beat police officers (remember “bLuE lIVeS mATteR!”)
– Electing a convicted criminal
– Worshipping a pig-man who bragged about sexually assaulting young women and lurking in changing rooms at teen beauty pageants while children were naked
I don’t care how many times you go to church or kiss your kids on the forehead and say how much you love them. If you support these things that Trump is doing, you are not a good person. Full stop. Period. Done.
Good for him! And cops wonder why they get no respect. Losers
Keep defending criminals, Lefties! It’s working out great for you!
ANON – aside from this person (who may not be a “criminal”), what other “criminals” do us Lefties defend?
Remember, you support:
– Giving child rapists a free pass
– Moving a convicted child rapist to a country club prison because she said nice things about your leader
– Pardoning actual, violent criminals (many with priors for rape, child molestion and spousal abuse) who mercilessly beat police officers (remember “bLuE lIVeS mATteR!”)
– Electing a convicted criminal
– Worshipping a pig-man who bragged about sexually assaulting young women and lurking in changing rooms at teen beauty pageants while children were naked
You guys are OK with all this.
So please. Do tell us what “criminals” we defend, you spineless MAGAt.
The Professor F’d around and found out. Bad career move.
You are consistently on the wrong side of history. How embarrassing for you and the generations that follow.
Basic, what would your 12 year old child think if they learned you were a vicious troll when you are supposed to be working?
Yeah, unlike you, many people make decisions that aren’t based in self interest. But you’ve already made it clear you’re not the type to stand up for other people. There’s a word for that. What is it?
Regardless of your stance on the issue of immigration, we should all be able to agree that throwing anything at LE. If/when you throw something at LE and are caught, the consequences can be life changing….usually not in a good way. I’m sure the professor is a good person and realizes he made a huge mistake. Fair enough as he’ll have his day in court to explain what he did (and hopefully display remorse and even apologize). Many people are frustrated, angry, disappointed, and so on, but no need to take it out on LE. Maybe the professor will learn to control his emotions/anger and be a better role model for his students, as well as the general public. When LE tells you to “skedaddle”….best to skedaddle.
Why is LE throwing deadly devices at citizens? BeesKnees your logic is the same that allowed Hitler to roll through Europe. Have you seen video of him throwing an object? You are judging him before there has been a trial. The Boomer far right mentality is to be the perpetual boot licker.
Bee, Why is LE throwing harmful devices at citizens? Have you seen video of the alleged incident, or are you judging the man before his trial???
What if they are breaking the law and kidnapping people off the streets without legal justification?
Zero concern for ICE criminals.
The headline of the article is: “Grand Jury Indicts Cal State Channel Islands Professor for Allegedly Throwing Tear Gas Canister During Camarillo ICE Raids”
My comment is focused on the professor who was the person arrested and indicted. I’m fine if other folks want to comment and draw comparisons with Hitler, Nazis, Gestapo, and so on.
BeesKnee Your comment is judging the accused – when the headline says “alleged”. Your boomer sundowner analysis is comical.
Seems like we are pretty much in agreement. Anyone who has a record of “assault on a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon” will have a rough go in life. My hope, for the sake of the community and all involved, is that the charge(s) against the Professor Caravello will be dismissed or dropped.
More BK wishy washy.
You’ve done a strange 180
is this one of those FAFO things?
Bingo.
Bravo. Stop interfering with judge issued warrants.
No one is above the law, per
• Joe Biden — “No one is above the law”
• Chuck Schumer – “The idea that no one is above the law is central to our democracy.”
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) — “We must remember, no one is above the law.”
• Nancy Pelosi — “No one is above the law”
• Adam Schiff — “No one is above the law,”
• Kamala Harris — as both Senator and Vice President, she’s echoed the same phrasing.
Unless of course you break the criminal immigration laws. Then CA gives you money, health care, housing assistance em education, etc…. $31 Billion each year to criminals.
You really have no clue that you are being totally manipulated.
If you want to set an example for enforcing the law, start with the orange felon.