A California man accused of taking part in a violent confrontation during last year's anti-ICE riots in Los Angeles has been sentenced to more than three years in federal prison after admitting he targeted law enforcement officers caught in the chaos.Ismael Vega, 42, of Los Angeles' Westlake neighborhood, was sentenced Monday to 37 months in prison and ordered to pay $253,415 in restitution for his role in the June 8, 2025, attack, the Justice Department announced."Those who attack our brave officers protecting public safety will face federal prison time for their crimes," U.S.Attorney Bill Essayli wrote Monday on X following the sentencing.
"Let this be a warning to others who think they can act without consequences."Vega pleaded guilty in April to obstructing, impeding and interfering with law enforcement during a civil disorder.FBI ARRESTS PROTESTER WHO THREATENED TO KILL ICE OFFICER'S FAMILY AT NJ DETENTION CENTER PROTEST, BLANCHE SAYSAccording to court documents, Vega was among a large crowd gathered on the Main Street overpass above U.S.Highway 101 as protests over federal immigration enforcement descended into violence.Prosecutors said Vega knew California Highway Patrol officers were trapped beneath the overpass when rioters began dropping burning debris, fireworks and other objects toward a California Highway Patrol (CHP) patrol vehicle parked below.FORMER MARINE GETS 100 YEARS IN PRISON AS JUDGE CALLS ICE DETENTION CENTER AMBUSH 'AN ASSAULT ON DEMOCRACY'Federal prosecutors identified Ismael Vega as one of the people involved in the June 2025 anti-ICE riot on the Main Street overpass in downtown Los Angeles.
(The United States Department of Justice)Court records show Vega repeatedly helped others ignite debris before setting a large piece of cardboard on fire himself.He then held the burning cardboard over the railing, lined it up with the hood of the CHP vehicle and dropped it onto the cruiser.As the cardboard burned, Yachua Mauricio Flores, 23, poured ...