A federal grand jury has indicted Jonathan Caravello, a professor at California State University Channel Islands, on a charge of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon. The incident occurred during the execution of a search warrant at a marijuana farm in Camarillo in July.
Caravello, 37, of Ventura, is accused of throwing a tear gas canister at federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Border Patrol. The agents were conducting what was described as a high-risk search on a 160-acre property. According to court documents and the indictment, protesters gathered at the scene attempted to block law enforcement by positioning themselves and their vehicles near the farm’s entrance.
The situation escalated when some protesters began throwing rocks at government vehicles as agents tried to leave for security reasons related to a hospitalized detainee. The rocks caused damage including broken windows and side-view mirrors.
To manage the crowd and ensure safety, law enforcement deployed tear gas among the protesters. Border Patrol agents rolled canisters toward the group’s feet. The indictment alleges that Caravello ran toward one canister, tried to kick it, then picked it up and threw it back at agents.
During his arrest by Border Patrol agents, Caravello allegedly resisted by kicking his legs and refusing to surrender his arms.
Caravello is currently free on $15,000 bond and is expected to be arraigned in United States District Court in Los Angeles in the coming weeks.
“An indictment contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
If convicted on the assault charge, Caravello could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
HSI is handling the investigation. The Major Frauds Section is prosecuting the case.
