Latest news with #FederalProtectiveService
Los Angeles Times
17-06-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Man who allegedly shot paintballs at officer during protest is charged
A man has been arrested and charged after allegedly shooting paintballs at a federal officer during the protests in downtown Los Angeles last week. Edwin Osvaldo Manriquez was accused of pulling the trigger on a paintball gun and dispersing multiple rounds on the afternoon of June 9 near the federal building on Los Angeles Street in downtown L.A., according to an affidavit filed by the FBI in court. An officer with the Federal Protective Service was hit. The service is an arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that protects federal buildings. 'The paintballs hit him on the head, left ear, left cheek, left neck and left shoulder,' the affidavit says; the officer wore a helmet and protective gear. Manriquez was charged with assault on a federal officer. The officers were stationed at the main entrance of the federal building to ensure protesters didn't enter the structure, the affidavit says. The suspect is accused of pulling the trigger while in the passenger seat of a white 2005 Infiniti G35 coupe. After firing the paintball gun, the suspect allegedly 'threw a hand sign with his left hand while still holding the paintball gun in his right hand,' the affidavit says. Both the suspected shooter and the driver were wearing face coverings. Investigators were able to identify Manriquez and the driver after the vehicle's license plate number was caught on video, according to the court document. After obtaining a warrant, FBI agents on Friday searched the driver's home and 'found the paintball gun used in the assault' in the person's garage, and paintballs in both the car and the garage, the affidavit says. The man confirmed to the FBI that he was, indeed, driving the vehicle when the paintball rounds were fired, the affidavit says. In text messages between the suspected shooter and the driver on the night of June 9, the document states, the driver indicated he disagreed with the suspect about shooting at federal officers. '[I]f they come for me for that paintball ... I'm sorry bruh but I ain't going to jail,' the driver wrote. '[T]hey ain't honna [gonna] get us ... we had our face covered,' the suspect allegedly texted back. 'I told u not to shoot them bruh they not part of immigration,' the driver responded. 'And u literally shot one in the face bro ... better hope they don't come to me,' the driver later wrote. The suspect was arrested on Friday and appeared before a federal magistrate on Monday. Manriquez was released on bond for home monitoring, according to Laura Eimiller, an FBI spokesperson. A number of other people are facing federal charges tied to activity during protests against immigration raids. Alleged crimes include hurling a Molotov cocktail at sheriff's deputies and throwing cinder blocks at federal law enforcement; others, however, are facing prison time for seemingly more minor skirmishes. One charge that has caused consternation among some members of the public is the decision to charge David Huerta, president of Service Employees International Union California. Huerta was arrested while documenting an immigration enforcement raid in the downtown Fashion District; federal officials said Huerta deliberately blocked their vehicles, obstructing agents' access to a work site where they were executing a search warrant. Video of the arrest shows the labor leader pushed by authorities in riot gear until he falls backward, appearing to strike his head on the curb. The L.A. County district attorney, Nathan Hochman, has also brought charges against people who allegedly attacked police, vandalized buildings and robbed stores during recent protests. Hochman vowed to 'fiercely protect people's rights to peacefully assemble' but also warned that those who engaged in violence, theft or property destruction would face severe consequences. Times staff writers Salvador Hernandez, Brittny Mejia and James Queally contributed to this report.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘Suspicious package' found near Federal Building shuts down downtown DSM road
UPDATE: The DMPD announced that the suspicious packaged was not an explosive or other dangerous device and that it has been turned over to the Federal Protective Service for further investigation. Walnut Street has been reopened to traffic. ORIGINAL STORY: DES MOINES, Iowa — A downtown Des Moines road is closed as the Des Moines Police Department conducts a suspicious package investigation. Motorcyclist killed in crash with semi on Floyd County highway According to the DMPD, shortly before 12:30 p.m. the Federal Protective Service reported that a 'suspicious package' had been placed outside of the Neal Smith Federal Building near a sidewalk. The DMPD said its bomb squad is on scene and that there's no indication of immediate danger to the area. Walnut Street between 2nd Avenue to 3rd Street will remain shut down until the investigation is completed. Additional information will be released when made available. Metro News: 'Suspicious package' found near Federal Building shuts down downtown DSM road Hundreds of volunteers needed for National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines Des Moines man guilty of fatally shooting man at hotel sentenced to prison Change of venue granted for embattled Madison County Treasurer, upcoming trial moved to Boone County Clive police hand out awareness stickers to help communication in emergencies Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nadler, Raskin push Jordan for investigation into DHS handcuffing of staffer
Reps. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) are demanding House Judiciary Committee Republicans launch an investigation after officers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pushed their way into the New York Democrat's office and handcuffed one of his staffers. The incident began after Nadler's office last week allowed protesters to enter their office after demonstrating at an immigration court housed within the same federal building. While the DHS accused the congressional office of 'harboring rioters,' Nadler referred to those in his office as 'observers.' 'A statement issued later by DHS claimed the agents were doing a 'security check,' and yet the video that has been released shows them handcuffing a staffer, demanding access to non-public areas of Rep. Nadler's office, and never once asking about the safety and security of his staff,' wrote Nadler and Raskin, the top Democrat on the panel, in the joint letter. 'These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated. The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. We call on you, as Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to condemn this aggressive affront to the separation of powers and the safety of Members of Congress, our staff, and our constituents.' Nadler during an interview on CNN on Monday blasted the DHS, accusing them of lying about the incident. 'They barged in. And in barging in one of the offices, a very big, heavyset fellow pushed my aide — a very petite young woman — and they then said that she pushed back and they shackled her and took her downstairs,' Nadler told the outlet. 'And she was obviously traumatized.' Video of the incident shows a Nadler staffer crying as she is handcuffed. The DHS later clarified the agents were Federal Protective Service personnel, who provide security at federal buildings. The officials were not there to harass Nadler's staff, the agency said, but to protect it. But the statement does not mention that nearly two dozen people were arrested in connection with the protests. 'Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler's District Office in Manhattan, New York. Based on earlier incidents in a nearby facility, FPS officers were concerned about the safety of the federal employees in the office and went to the location to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present. Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals,' the DHS said in a statement. 'Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.' Jordan's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The two Democratic lawmakers called the incident 'part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic, and reckless tactics in communities across America.' 'The time is now to halt the use of these illegitimate tactics and to ensure that DHS complies with the law and with the norms of common human decency,' they wrote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
03-06-2025
- General
- The Hill
Nadler, Raskin push Jordan for investigation into DHS handcuffing of staffer
Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) are demanding House Judiciary Republicans launch an investigation after officers from the Department of Homeland Security pushed their way into the New York Democrat's office and handcuffed one of his staffers. The incident began after Nadler's office last week allowed protestors to enter their office after demonstrating at an immigration court housed within the same federal building. While DHS accused the congressional office of 'harboring rioters,' Nadler referred to those in his office as 'observers.' 'A statement issued later by DHS claimed the agents were doing a 'security check,' and yet the video that has been released shows them handcuffing a staffer, demanding access to non-public areas of Rep. Nadler's office, and never once asking about the safety and security of his staff,' Nadler and Raskin, the top Democrat on the panel, wrote in the joint letter. 'These types of intimidation tactics are completely unwarranted and cannot be tolerated. The decision to enter a congressional office and detain a congressional staff member demonstrates a deeply troubling disregard for proper legal boundaries. We call on you, as Chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary, to condemn this aggressive affront to the separation of powers and the safety of Members of Congress, our staff, and our constituents.' Nadler during an interview on CNN on Monday blasted DHS, accusing them of lying about the incident. 'They barged in. And in barging in one of the offices, a very big, heavyset fellow pushed my aide — a very petite young woman — and they then said that she pushed back and they shackled her and took her downstairs,' Nadler told the outlet. 'And she was obviously traumatized.' Video of the incident shows a Nadler staffer crying as she is handcuffed. DHS later clarified the agents were Federal Protective Service personnel, who provide security at federal buildings. The officials were not there to harass Nadler's staff, the agency said, but to protect it. But the statement does not mention that nearly two dozen people were arrested in connection with the protests. 'Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers responded to information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler's District Office in Manhattan, New York. Based on earlier incidents in a nearby facility, FPS officers were concerned about the safety of the federal employees in the office and went to the location to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present. Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals,' DHS said in a statement. 'Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.' Jordan's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The two Democratic lawmakers called the incident 'part of a broader pattern by President Donald J. Trump and DHS of using unlawful, chaotic, and reckless tactics in communities across America.' 'The time is now to halt the use of these illegitimate tactics and to ensure that DHS complies with the law and with the norms of common human decency,' they wrote.
American Military News
02-06-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Video: Democrat staffer detained for allegedly 'harboring rioters'
A staff member working for Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) was temporarily detained by Federal Protective Service officers on Wednesday after the staff member 'verbally confrontational and physically blocked' officers from accessing the Democrat congressman's district office in Manhattan while allegedly 'harboring rioters in the office.' A video shared on X, formerly Twitter, shows one of Nadler's female staff members at his Manhattan office being handcuffed by Federal Protective Service agents while a second staff member tried to prevent an agent from entering the Democrat congressman's office. In the video, a Federal Protective Service agent can be heard telling the staff member, 'We have the right to check.' The agent later added, 'You [are] harboring rioters in the office.' At the end of the video, the second Nadler staff member can be seen allowing the agent to enter the office. In a Monday statement, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Federal Protective Service officers responded last Wednesday to 'information that protesters were present inside U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler's District Office in Manhattan, New York.' The Department of Homeland Security noted that the officers were 'concerned about the safety' of the employees in Nadler's office due to 'earlier incidents in a nearby facility.' As a result, Federal Protective Service officers went to Nadler's office to 'ensure the safety and wellbeing of those present.' 'Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals. Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office,' the Department of Homeland Security stated. 'The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident.' READ MORE: Video: Democrat congresswoman charged for breaching ICE facility Following Wednesday's incident, Nadler criticized President Donald Trump and his administration in a statement to Politico, saying, 'President Trump and the Department of Homeland Security are sowing chaos in our communities, using intimidating tactics against both citizens and non-citizens in a reckless and dangerous manner. In the most recent and deeply troubling incident, DHS agents forcefully entered my Congressional office and handcuffed a member of my staff.' Nadler added, 'If this can happen in a Member of Congress's office, it can happen to anyone — and it is happening.' In a statement to The New York Times, the Democrat congressman claimed that Trump's administration is 'behaving like fascists' and is 'trying to intimidate members of Congress.' 'We have to fight them,' Nadler said. 'We don't want to be a fascist country.'
