South Bay Man Accused Of Assaulting Officers At Immigration Protests In Los Angeles

HAWTHORNE, CA — A Hawthorne man is facing federal charges after being accused of assaulting a federal officer at an immigration protest in Downtown Los Angeles last month, according to authorities.

Nick Elias Gutierrez, 20, of Hawthorne, was charged Friday with one count each of assault on a federal officer or employee and assault on a federal officer or employee resulting in bodily injury, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Federal prosecutors say the 20-year-old was among a small group of protesters that had gathered in front of the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Downtown Los Angeles on July 17.

At some point, one of the protesters used a permanent marker to write on the building, according to authorities. When officers tried to detain that protester, Gutierrez grabbed an officer by the straps of his bulletproof vest and began shaking them, according to federal prosecutors.

Gutierrez and the other person were eventually taken into custody by officers following a struggle, according to authorities. They're both currently out of jail after posting a $5,000 bond, federal prosecutors said.

The 20-year-old is facing up to 28 years in federal prison if convicted of the charges, federal prosecutors said.

The charges against Gutierrez come at a time when U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has struggled to get cases connected with immigration protests in Southern California to move forward, according to the Los Angeles Times. At least 38 people have been arrested and accused of misconduct during the protests or near immigration sites, but many of those cases have either been dismissed or had charges reduced, according to the Times.

Last week, a Boye Heights activist accused of aiding civil disorder by passing out protective face masks to anti-ICE protesters in Downtown Los Angeles had the charges against him dismissed.

No reason was given for the decision to dismiss the case, and a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment.