A man has been sentenced to 37 months in prison for pouring lighter fluid onto a burning California Highway Patrol vehicle and throwing an electric scooter over a freeway overpass near officers during a protest in Downtown LA last year.
Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, pleaded guilty in April to one count of obstructing, impeding and interfering with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder. He was sentenced on Aug. 3 and was ordered by a federal judge to pay $253,415 in restitution.
“Violent attacks on law enforcement will result in federal prison time,” First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said. “Those who escalate chaos and endanger officers will be held accountable. Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to protecting the men and women sworn to keep our communities safe.”
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Flores is a Mexican citizen living in Los Angeles without legal permission. On June 8, 2025, Flores participated in an anti-immigration protest on the Main Street overpass of U.S. Highway 101.
His plea agreement explains that officers were trapped when protesters threw rocks, chunks of concrete, scooters, street signs, fireworks and lighted debris at them.
Flores poured lighter fluid from a plastic water bottle onto a burning California Highway Patrol vehicle. After instructing another individual, who lit a liquid substance on fire and poured the flaming liquid onto the same vehicle, Flores poured lighter fluid from a second bottle onto the CHP vehicle.
After pouring lighter fluid onto the vehicle, Flores and another individual threw an electric scooter over the overpass railing near California Highway Patrol vehicles and officers. He knew officers were under the overpass, he admitted in his plea agreement, and that throwing objects and debris over the overpass created a risk of death or serious bodily injury to the officers.