TikTok Creator “Richard LA” Freed From Criminal Charges, Remains in ICE Detention Amid Civil Rights Concerns
A federal judge dismissed criminal charges against TikTok creator Carlitos Richard Parias, known online as “Richard LA,” citing government failures to release crucial body camera footage and a violation of his right to legal counsel. Despite the dismissal, Parias remains in administrative detention, raising concerns about immigration enforcement and the rights of citizen journalists.
U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin issued the dismissal on December 29, 2025, after determining Parias was denied access to his attorney while detained in South Los Angeles. The judge also criticized the government’s repeated failure to meet court-imposed deadlines, specifically regarding the release of body camera footage documenting a shooting incident in October 2025.
“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,” Judge Olguin wrote in his order.
The Backstory: Shooting and Initial Charges
Parias was initially indicted on charges of assault on a federal officer and depredation of government property following an October 21, 2025, incident in South Los Angeles. Authorities allege Parias intentionally rammed vehicles occupied by federal agents who were attempting to arrest him on an immigration warrant, leading to a shooting that wounded him in the elbow and a deputy U.S. Marshal. He was subsequently released on bond and transferred to an immigration detention facility in Adelanto, California.
Despite the dismissal of the criminal case, U.S. authorities continue to hold Parias, a Mexican citizen, at the GEO Group-run facility, citing his unlawful presence in the country.
A Citizen Journalist and Community Recognition
Parias is widely known for documenting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations through his social media channels. He maintains two accounts with a combined following of 340,000, primarily posting Spanish-language videos. His content, dating back to 2024, ranges from documenting police activity, car accidents, and fires to everyday life in Los Angeles, including tortilla-making and rainy days. More recently, his videos have focused on demonstrations against immigration enforcement and federal deportation arrests.
His work has garnered recognition from the Los Angeles City Council. In August 2025, Councilmember Curren Price’s office awarded Parias a Certificate of Recognition for his “citizen reporting.” He had a documented encounter with ICE on June 13, 2025, while filming an arrest, being briefly detained and released.
Conflicting Accounts and Legal Debate
The case has ignited a debate between federal authorities and community advocates. Carlos Jurado, Parias’s attorney, described his client as a “pacifist” and suggested he was targeted due to his social media coverage. “What we know about Richard is that he’s a very calm man… it’s difficult to trust every word that comes from DHS,” Jurado stated.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli presented a contrasting narrative, asserting that Parias “refused to comply with agents’ orders and escalated what could have been a simple arrest into a life-threatening situation.”
The Office of Councilmember Curren Price defended Parias, calling him a “pillar of our community” and a “fearless citizen journalist” whose work “uplifted the unheard voices of South Central Los Angeles.”
What’s Next?
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles has indicated it is evaluating its options for appeal, stating, “We strongly disagree with the court’s version of the facts as well as its legal conclusions.” Parias remains in ICE detention in Adelanto, his future uncertain as the legal battle continues.
This report is based on a federal court order issued by U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin and official case records detailing the dismissal of the indictment. To provide a complete picture, we have also included specific allegations from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the October enforcement operation and the suspect’s social media presence as “Richard LA.” The Associated Press contributed.
