
The man accused of supplying Los Angeles rioters with “bionic” face shields has been identified and arrested, the FBI said. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison.
The FBI says it arrested Alejandro Theodoro Orellana on Thursday after he was reportedly identified as the man driving a pickup truck and distributing the face shields to rioters, the New York Post reported.
— Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) June 12, 2025
US Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli said on X that Orellana faces charges of conspiracy to commit civil disorders for distributing the face shields to suspected rioters.
“We are moving quickly to identify and arrest those involved in organizing and/or supporting civil disorder in Los Angeles,” Essayli said.
ARRESTED: Alejandro Theodoro Orellana was arrested this morning by @FBILosAngeles on an allegation of Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders (18 USC 371) for distributing face shields to suspected rioters on Tuesday. We are moving quickly to identify and arrest those involved in… pic.twitter.com/Ase8kxupfp
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) June 12, 2025
Trump’s Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino added that Orellana “chose poorly” and urged others to “choose wisely.”
He chose poorly.
— Dan Bongino (@FBIDDBongino) June 12, 2025
Choose wisely. https://t.co/UHI1l3f8c0
Orellana’s actions hint at the ample funding behind the rioters — with prices starting at $35 and up per shield, it seems highly unlikely Orellana purchased a truckload of these “bionic” shields by himself to be handed out for free to any taker.
If convicted under 18 USC 371, a felony, Orellana could be sentenced to a maximum of five years in prison.
The FBI is also seeking the whereabouts of 40-year-old Elpidio Reyna, who was reputedly seen on camera throwing bricks at federal officers in L.A.
Elpidio Reyna, wanted by the FBI. (@FBILosAngeles)
“WANTED: Elpidio Reyna can run, but he can’t hide. He threw rocks at federal officers leaving a command post in Paramount on Saturday, a brazen attack caught on film and that could have resulted in deaths,” Essayli said.
The FBI has identified the man #wanted for assaulting a federal officer this weekend as Elpidio Reyna, 40, of Compton, CA. He is considered a fugitive and we continue to seek his location. A #reward of up to $50K is being offered for information leading to his arrest/conviction. pic.twitter.com/WPEE6SIjZp
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) June 10, 2025
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