South LA Pair Charged After Immigration Raid Incident

Gustavo Torres and Kiara Jaime-Flores, residents of South Los Angeles, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers after allegedly using their car to block, pursue, and brake aggressively in front of federal immigration agents during a February raid. Prosecutors state that their actions endangered the agents, and both face up to six years in federal prison if convicted. The incident took place as federal agents executed search warrants in South LA, sparking protests from local residents. According to court documents, Torres and Jaime-Flores admitted to attempting to stop or impede the immigration operations. Immigrant rights activists, though not directly affiliated with the two, have condemned the arrests and accused authorities of trying to intimidate the community. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli reiterated that interference with immigration officers would lead to prosecution and possible prison sentences.