Charges dropped against East Los Angeles activist who distributed face shields at ICE protest

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge Wednesday dismissed the case against an East Los Angeles immigration activist who was accused of handing out protective face shields to protesters last month during an anti-ICE demonstration.

Alejandro Orellana, 29, a member of the Boyle Heights-based community organization Centro CSO, was indicted in June by a federal grand jury on felony charges of conspiracy and aiding and abetting civil disorder, court records show.

However, at the request of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. District Judge Serena Murillo on Wednesday issued a judgment of discharge in the case, dismissing the charges against Orellana without prejudice — meaning it can be refiled — and ordering his bond exonerated.

Prosecutors filed a motion to toss the charges on Tuesday.

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

“Protecting our community is not a crime,” Orellana said in a statement. “Thanks to all those across the country who mobilized to demand that the charges (be dropped). We won because our cause is just.”

According to the indictment, Orellana and at least two others drove around downtown L.A. in a pickup truck distributing Uvex Bionic face shields and other items to a crowd engaged in a protest near the federal building on Los Angeles Street on June 9. The face shields are designed to protect from chemical splashes and flying debris.

At his initial court appearance, Orellana — a former U.S. Marine — was ordered by a magistrate judge to not come within 100 yards of federal agents or buildings — except for court appearances and meetings with his legal counsel.

Centro CSO contends his arrest was “political repression” due to Orellana’s activism.