Federal authorities have arrested 10 anti-ICE rioters accused of committing a violent attack on officers raiding a California marijuana farm over the summer.
ICE descended upon Glass House Farms and other pot grows in Camarillo, California, in July when they were met by a group of rioters, some of whom are tied to “VC Defensa,” a radical group that works to impede federal immigration authorities, the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Central District of California said Wednesday.
The group allegedly constructed a roadblock out of farm equipment that obstructed both the exit and entrance of Glass House Farms, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. As a result of the blockade, officers were forced to leave on a dirt road that led them to a violent ambush, where a group of agitators began hurling large rocks in their direction.
Promises made, promises kept.
The President and @AGPamBondi made clear that we will find, arrest, and charge anyone who attacks our federal agents.
This morning we arrested 10 defendants for engaging in violence against officers and property earlier this year in connection with… pic.twitter.com/RZUmjFbiiV
— Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) October 29, 2025
The situation grew even more tense when demonstrators as demonstrators ambushed the exiting officers by boxing in the government vehicles. At least one federal contract employee was injured and at least four of the vehicles were damaged as a result of the attack.
Videos taken at the scene showed officers deploying tear gas as dozens of rioters ran through the fields.
“There is zero tolerance for violence against law enforcement officers,” Acting United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement Wednesday of the arrests. “During the summer we warned the public that anyone who engages in any violence will eventually be brought to justice. Today we are delivering on that promise and will continue to hold those who violated the law accountable.”
ICE arrested 361 illegal immigrants, some of whom had convictions for rape, serial burglary, hit-and-runs, and DUIs, as it swept the cannabis grows in the area, the Department of Homeland Security said at the time.
The feds also rescued 14 migrant children who were working in the fields, according to DHS.
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the conditions on the farms appeared “like exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling.”
Glass House Brands previously denied claims that they employed children.
“Yesterday, Glass House Brands received immigration and naturalization warrants. As per the law, we verified that the warrants were valid and we complied. Workers were detained and we are assisting to provide them legal representation,” the company wrote.
“Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors. We do not expect this to affect operations moving forward. We will provide additional details when applicable.”
An eleventh alleged rioter is still in state custody, while a twelfth, 32-year-old Virginia Reyes, is still on the run, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. Reyes is charged with conspiracy to impede or injure a federal officer, which could result in her spending up to five years behind bars.
As part of Operation “A Bridge Too Far,” nine defendants were charged and arrested in connection with obstructing, impeding, and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder, stemming from violence against California Highway Patrol officers in downtown Los Angeles’… pic.twitter.com/3T5MAHDkPe
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) October 29, 2025
The FBI also announced the arrests of nine other rioters tied to violent demonstrations that took place near the ICE detention center in downtown Los Angeles in June. Rioters threw concrete blocks at officers, set Waymo autonomous cars ablaze and blocked major highways.
As a result of the chaos, President Donald Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard troops and Marines to the City of Angels.
You tried to physically block a federal agent from conducting a lawful operation.
FAFOpic.twitter.com/l9iOHtUllU
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 29, 2025
The Department of Justice also charged Democratic Illinois Congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh after she allegedly tried to block the feds’ vehicles outside the ICE facility in Broadview, she announced on X Wednesday.
“This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment,” said Abughazaleh.
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