A man who federal law enforcement said lit and threw a Molotov cocktail at officials last year during a protest over an immigration enforcement operation in Paramount was sentenced to prison, the U.S Attorney’s Office said on Friday.
Emiliano Garduño Gálvez, 23, was sentenced to 48 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered destructive device and one count of obstructing, impeding, or interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder. Gálvez initially pleaded not guilty to the charges in July, then changed his plea in October.
“This defendant’s reckless behavior threatened the lives and safety of law enforcement officers and that of a lawful protester,” said First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli. “My office remains steadfast in its efforts to prosecute and punish those who commit acts of violence against others.”
On June 7, 2025, an immigration raid at a Home Depot in Paramount led to unrest. Federal agents and protesters clashed over the operation, leading to widespread protests in Los Angeles. Officials said Gálvez threw a flaming Molotov cocktail toward sheriff’s deputies during the unrest in Paramount.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Gálvez was hiding behind a stone wall when he threw a flaming Molotov cocktail toward sheriff’s deputies, landing about 15 feet from them in a grassy area.
Gálvez is described as a Mexican national who resided in Paramount, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Yang previously said Gálvez “overstayed a visa” for more than a decade.