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ICE indictment against TikTok streamer dismissed
The South LA TikTok streamer was shot by immigration officers while they tried to arrest him back in October.
LOS ANGELES - A federal judge dismissed the indictment against TikTok creator Carlitos Richard Parias, citing government failures to release body camera footage and a violation of the defendant's right to counsel.
What we know:
U.S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin issued the dismissal after finding that Parias (known online as "Richard LA") was deprived of access to his attorney while being detained in South Los Angeles.
The judge also highlighted the government’s repeated failure to meet court deadlines, specifically regarding the release of body camera footage of the October shooting.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: TikToker Richard LA, U.S. Marshal shot by ICE agent in South Los Angeles
"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," Olguin wrote.
The backstory:
Parias was originally indicted for assault on a federal officer and depredation of government property following an October incident in South Los Angeles where agents shot him in the elbow after he allegedly rammed their vehicles to evade arrest on an immigration warrant.
He was released on bond pending his trial and taken to an immigration detention facility in Adelanto.
Despite the dismissal of the criminal case, U.S. authorities continue to hold Parias in administrative detention at the GEO Group-run facility, citing his status as a Mexican citizen living in the country illegally.
Dig deeper:
Parias is well-known for documenting ICE operations and had previously received a certificate of recognition from the Los Angeles City Council for his community reporting. He posts Spanish-language videos on two accounts with a combined 340,000 followers.
Videos on his page dating back to 2024 document police activity, car accidents and fires, as well as tortilla-making and rainy days in Los Angeles.
This year, the footage has also focused on demonstrations against immigration enforcement and arrests by federal deportation authorities.
Timeline:
June 13, 2025: Parias has a documented encounter with ICE while filming an arrest; he is briefly detained and released.
August 2025: The office of Councilmember Curren Price awards Parias a Certificate of Recognition for his "citizen reporting."
October 21, 2025: Federal agents surveilling Parias' home box in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Gunfire erupts, wounding both Parias and a deputy U.S. Marshal.
October 22, 2025: Parias is charged with assault on a federal officer while hospitalized.
December 29, 2025: A federal judge dismisses the indictment against Parias due to civil rights violations and procedural failures by the government.
What they're saying:
The case has sparked significant debate between federal authorities and community advocates:
Attorney Carlos Jurado described his client as a "pacifist" and argued that Parias was targeted for his social media coverage, stating, "What we know about Richard is that he's a very calm man... it's difficult to trust every word that comes from DHS."
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli previously stated, "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 called Parias a "pillar of our community" and a "fearless citizen journalist" whose storytelling "uplifted the unheard voices of South Central Los Angeles."
What's next:
The U.S. Attorney’s office in Los Angeles said in a statement that the agency is evaluating its options for appeal. "We strongly disagree with the court’s version of the facts as well as its legal conclusions," the statement said.
Parias remains in ICE detention in Adelanto.
The Source: 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.