LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a criminal case against a popular Los Angeles TikTok streamer, citing constitutional violations after his lawyers were denied access to him while he was in immigration detention.
U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin ruled on Saturday, dismissing an indictment against Carlitos Ricardo Parias, who is known for documenting police and immigration enforcement activities online. Parias' rights were infringed as federal authorities failed to facilitate consultations between him and his lawyers, which is crucial for trial preparation.
Judge Olguin emphasized that the government's inability to synchronize its different agencies created conditions that led to constitutional violations. “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,” he stated.
The U.S. Attorney’s office has expressed its disagreement with the ruling, stating they are evaluating options for appeal. They asserted, “We strongly disagree with the court’s version of the facts as well as its legal conclusions.”
Parias was indicted following an incident in October where federal agents claimed he rammed his vehicle into theirs while they attempted to arrest him on an immigration warrant. He was subsequently shot in the elbow. Parias pleaded not guilty to charges including assault on a federal officer using a deadly weapon.
Currently, Parias remains in an immigration detention facility run by The GEO Group in Adelanto, California, approximately 70 miles northeast of Los Angeles.
Parias, known for his Spanish-language TikTok accounts that have amassed over 340,000 followers, shares various content, including police activity, accidents, and community updates, often in real time. He plays a pivotal role in alerting community members about immigration enforcement actions.
Although the recent dismissal of charges is significant, the implications for both him and immigration enforcement practices in the area remain to be seen as authorities deliberate next steps.
