CSU Professor Indicted for Assault During Multi-Location Federal Immigration Raids

Jonathan Caravello, a 37-year-old professor at California State University Channel Islands, was indicted by a federal grand jury for assaulting federal immigration agents by throwing a tear gas canister during a July 10 raid at Glass House Farms, a marijuana cultivation site in Camarillo, California. The raid, conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Border Patrol, targeted the farm for suspected immigration violations and resulted in the arrest of over 360 individuals, including 14 children found working at the facility. Prosecutors allege Caravello actively obstructed law enforcement efforts by participating in violent protests, throwing rocks, and assaulting agents with the tear gas canister, leading to his arrest where he resisted by kicking and refusing to cooperate. Caravello has been released on a $15,000 bond and is awaiting arraignment in U.S. District Court, facing up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The incident sparked controversy, with some local officials and the university defending Caravello's right to protest, while federal authorities emphasized the seriousness of the charges and the large-scale immigration enforcement operation. The raid also resulted in tragic consequences, including the death of a farm worker, Jaime Garcia, who fell during the law enforcement action.