Protester Accused Of Torching CHP Vehicle On Freeway Pleads Not Guilty

LOS ANGELES, CA — A 39-year-old man pleaded not guilty Thursday to a federal arson charge for allegedly having tossed a flaming bundle onto a parked California Highway Patrol vehicle that caught fire on the Hollywood (101) Freeway in downtown Los Angeles during a protest sparked by federal immigration raids.

Adam Palermo is charged in Los Angeles federal court with attempted arson of a vehicle used in interstate or foreign commerce, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

A tentative trial date of Oct. 28 was set.

Palermo is also suspected of having thrown large rocks onto two moving CHP vehicles with officers inside during the June 8 protest.

As a result, he's charged in state court with four counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer and single counts of arson and vandalism. Prosecutors allege Palermo boasted on social media about what he had done.

Attempts to reach Palermo's attorney were unsuccessful.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters at a June news conference that "an anonymous tip from Crime Stoppers is what helped law enforcement identify, locate and arrest Mr. Palermo on the state charges."

Referring to a social media post allegedly from Palermo, the district attorney added: "Mr. Palermo has basically said that this was his most productive day, literally causing this damage, committing these crimes. ... It was not a productive day. It was a day of destruction, a day of violating the laws, and it will be eventually a day of accountability."

Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli of the Central District of California told reporters at the press conference that Palermo allegedly wrote in a caption on social media that "I'm most proud of what I did today" out of all of the protests he had been involved in, which he wrote were well over 100.

CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris told reporters that Palermo's suspected activities went beyond typical protest actions.

"These are serious felonies and direct threats to public safety," Margaris said.

Along with the state charges that carry a maximum of nine years and eight months in state prison, Palermo is facing a federal prison sentence of between five and 20 years on the arson charge.

The defendant is currently in custody at a downtown federal lockup.

"He will not be doing any more protests for the ... foreseeable future," Essayli said.

City News Service