A Compton man with a history on the FBI’s most wanted list pleaded guilty Tuesday to assaulting a federal officer during a protest last year, federal authorities said. Elpidio Reyna, 41, admitted to throwing rocks at government vehicles during a June 7 demonstration in Paramount, California, injuring a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
The incident occurred during a protest against immigration enforcement outside the Paramount Business Center, which houses Homeland Security Investigation offices. According to court documents, Reyna and others began throwing rocks at the vehicles and lighting objects on fire, impeding law enforcement activity. One rock shattered a vehicle’s glass, cutting a CBP officer on the forehead, the U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed.
Reyna pleaded guilty to one felony count of assault on a federal officer by deadly or dangerous weapon resulting in bodily injury. He has been in federal custody since July 2025 and faces up to 20 years in prison at his sentencing in August, according to the Justice Department. The guilty plea marks a significant development in a case that drew national attention and sparked debate over protests and law enforcement responses.
From FBI Most Wanted to Guilty Plea
The case against Reyna began after the June 7 protest. Authorities quickly identified him as a suspect, alleging he was captured on video wearing a “Zacatecas” jersey and a yellow helmet. The government obtained an emergency disclosure request from TikTok, which led them to Reyna’s address in Compton, California, according to the complaint. However, investigators soon discovered Reyna had fled to Mexico.
On June 11, the Department of Homeland Security announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to Reyna’s arrest and he was added to the FBI’s most wanted list. His photograph and description were widely publicized in both the United States and Mexico, including a post on the official White House Instagram account. The Instagram post helped lead to his capture.
Broader Trends in Protest-Related Cases
Reyna’s case is one of more than 100 brought since June involving alleged assaults on federal agents or interference with immigration enforcement. However, a recent trend has emerged in these cases: while 24 individuals have pleaded guilty to various charges, 23 have had their charges dismissed, and all five assault on a federal officer cases that have gone to trial have resulted in acquittals, according to reporting from the Los Angeles Times. This pattern raises questions about the strength of the evidence in some of these cases and the legal strategies employed by defense attorneys.
First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “This defendant could have easily killed a federal officer or innocent bystander. As he found out the hard way, violence against law enforcement is not constitutionally protected and will be met with swift justice. Those who engage in similar violence will be arrested, charged, and eventually convicted in a court of law.”
Reyna’s sentencing is scheduled for August. The outcome of his case, and the broader trend of protest-related prosecutions, will likely continue to be closely watched by legal observers and advocates on both sides of the issue. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California has not yet announced a date for the sentencing hearing.
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