Federal charges filed against 2 men for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails in LA protests

HOUSTON, United States

Federal charges were filed Wednesday against two men for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails during immigration protests in the US state of California.

The US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California said Emiliano Garduno Galvez, 23, and Wrackkie Quiogue, 27, were charged with possession of an unregistered destructive device, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

"When protesting crosses the line into violence, the penalties will be severe," US Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement.

According to the criminal complaint, on June 7, Galvez lit and threw a Molotov cocktail over a wall where Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies were engaging in crowd control activities and then fled.

Prosecutors said Quiogue, on June 8, possessed a Molotov cocktail while holding a lighter during demonstrations near federal buildings in downtown Los Angeles. They say Quiogue threw the Molotov cocktail while trying to flee from police.

"The vile attacks such as the ones alleged in these complaints could have resulted in life-altering or life-ending injuries to police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and innocent bystanders," said Essayli.

Both defendants, who are from Los Angeles County, are in custody. Quiogue was ordered to be detained at his initial court appearance on Tuesday. Galvez is expected to make his initial appearance in United States District Court in the coming days, according to prosecutors.

"We will not relent in dispensing swift justice to criminals who take advantage of our country’s freedoms to engage in lawlessness," said Essayli.​​​​​​​