LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a criminal case against a popular Los Angeles TikTok streamer, citing constitutional violations after his lawyers were denied access to him while he was in immigration detention.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin issued a ruling Saturday dismissing an indictment against Carlitos Ricardo Parias, who is known for documenting police and immigration enforcement activity online. Parias’ rights were violated when federal authorities repeatedly failed to allow his criminal defense lawyers to visit or speak with him in immigration detention, hindering his ability to prepare for trial.
The dismissal was with prejudice, which prevents the government from refiling the same charges against him. In his decision, Judge Olguin remarked, “In short, the government’s failure to coordinate the overlapping actions of its separate agencies while relentlessly pursuing Mr. Parias’s criminal proceedings created a situation from which constitutional violations could — and did — occur.”
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles articulated its disagreement with the ruling, stating they are considering an appeal. The agency expressed strong disagreement with the court’s interpretation of the facts and legal conclusions.
Parias was indicted last month and pleaded not guilty to charges of assault on a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon and depredation of government property, stemming from an incident in October. During the arrest attempt, federal agents allege that Parias rammed his vehicle into theirs, leading to his being shot in the elbow. He was subsequently detained at an immigration facility in Adelanto, California, located about 70 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Authorities maintain that Parias is a Mexican national residing in the U.S. illegally. He has garnered a significant following on TikTok, with his streams documenting not only police activities but also aspects of daily life in South Los Angeles. His content aims to inform the community about immigration enforcement activities and offers real-time updates during raids and arrests.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin issued a ruling Saturday dismissing an indictment against Carlitos Ricardo Parias, who is known for documenting police and immigration enforcement activity online. Parias’ rights were violated when federal authorities repeatedly failed to allow his criminal defense lawyers to visit or speak with him in immigration detention, hindering his ability to prepare for trial.
The dismissal was with prejudice, which prevents the government from refiling the same charges against him. In his decision, Judge Olguin remarked, “In short, the government’s failure to coordinate the overlapping actions of its separate agencies while relentlessly pursuing Mr. Parias’s criminal proceedings created a situation from which constitutional violations could — and did — occur.”
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles articulated its disagreement with the ruling, stating they are considering an appeal. The agency expressed strong disagreement with the court’s interpretation of the facts and legal conclusions.
Parias was indicted last month and pleaded not guilty to charges of assault on a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon and depredation of government property, stemming from an incident in October. During the arrest attempt, federal agents allege that Parias rammed his vehicle into theirs, leading to his being shot in the elbow. He was subsequently detained at an immigration facility in Adelanto, California, located about 70 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Authorities maintain that Parias is a Mexican national residing in the U.S. illegally. He has garnered a significant following on TikTok, with his streams documenting not only police activities but also aspects of daily life in South Los Angeles. His content aims to inform the community about immigration enforcement activities and offers real-time updates during raids and arrests.
