LOS ANGELES, CA – In a significant development following recent immigration protests that impacted Los Angeles, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Tuesday, July 2, 2025, that his office has filed new charges against individuals allegedly involved in acts of violence and vandalism.
These latest filings are part of a broader effort by the District Attorney’s office, which has now charged more than 40 people in connection with protest-related incidents. Authorities indicated that the investigation is ongoing, and more charges are expected as evidence continues to be reviewed by prosecutors.
Major Charges Include Attempted Murder and Assaults
Among the most serious of the new charges is one filed against a 17-year-old boy. He faces one felony count of attempted murder, one felony count of assaulting a peace officer, and one felony count of vandalism. Additionally, the juvenile is charged with two misdemeanor counts of rioting.
This specific charge of attempted murder highlights the most extreme level of alleged violence encountered during the demonstrations, underscoring the severity with which prosecutors are approaching the incidents.
Allegations of Assaults on Law Enforcement Horses
Two adults have been charged in separate alleged assaults targeting horses belonging to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) during protests in downtown Los Angeles.
Iran Castro, a 29-year-old resident of El Monte, California, faces multiple felony charges. Prosecutors allege that on June 14, during protests in downtown L.A., Castro pulled on the bridle and grabbed the reins of LASD horses. He has been charged with two felony counts of assaulting a peace officer (referencing the working horses), two felony counts of animal cruelty, and one felony count of resisting arrest.
In a separate but related case, Dana Whitson, a 66-year-old individual from Oro Valley, Arizona, was also charged in relation to an alleged assault on an LASD horse during the protests. While specific details of Whitson’s alleged actions were not immediately provided in the announcement, the charge signifies another instance where protest activity intersected with allegations of harm to law enforcement animals.
Working horses utilized by law enforcement are considered peace officers under California law, making assaults against them prosecutable under statutes typically applied to human officers, in addition to potential animal cruelty charges.
Broader Scope of State Prosecutions
The charges against the teenager and the two adults accused in the horse assaults are part of the wider sweep of cases being pursued by District Attorney Hochman’s office. The more than 40 individuals charged thus far face a variety of counts related to violence and vandalism that occurred during the recent protests.
The District Attorney’s office emphasized its commitment to upholding the law and ensuring accountability for those who engaged in criminal behavior during public demonstrations, stating that the right to protest does not extend to violence or property destruction.
Separate Federal Charges Also Filed
In parallel to the state-level prosecutions announced by the District Attorney’s office, at least 14 people face separate federal charges in connection with the L.A. protests. These federal cases, handled by the U.S. Attorney’s office, involve different alleged crimes and legal jurisdictions.
Federal prosecutors have brought charges including assaulting officers with dangerous weapons such as cinder blocks and Molotov cocktails, as well as conspiracy to impede arrests. The federal charges often target actions involving interstate commerce, federal officers, or specific federal statutes related to civil disorder.
Continued Investigations Anticipated
The announcement from District Attorney Hochman’s office on July 2, 2025, signals a continued effort by law enforcement and prosecutors at both the state and federal levels to address alleged criminal conduct that occurred during the recent period of heightened protest activity in Los Angeles. Authorities have indicated that the review of evidence is ongoing, suggesting the possibility of further charges being filed in the coming weeks and months as investigations progress.
