Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Molotov Cocktail Attack on Deputies

Emiliano Garduño Gálvez pleaded guilty to charges related to the June 2025 incident in Paramount.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 6:23pm

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A 23-year-old man was sentenced to 48 months in prison for throwing a flaming Molotov cocktail at sheriff's deputies during a protest over an immigration enforcement operation in Paramount, California in June 2025. Emiliano Garduño Gálvez pleaded guilty to possession of an unregistered destructive device and obstructing law enforcement during a civil disorder.

Why it matters

The incident highlighted the tensions and potential for violence during protests over immigration enforcement actions. Prosecutors emphasized the threat to law enforcement and public safety posed by Gálvez's actions.

The details

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Gálvez was hiding behind a stone wall when he threw the flaming Molotov cocktail toward the deputies, landing about 15 feet away in a grassy area. Gálvez, described as a Mexican national who overstayed a visa, initially pleaded not guilty but later changed his plea to guilty.

  • On June 7, 2025, an immigration raid at a Home Depot in Paramount led to unrest and protests.
  • In July 2025, Gálvez initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.
  • In October 2025, Gálvez changed his plea to guilty.

The players

Emiliano Garduño Gálvez

A 23-year-old Mexican national who resided in Paramount and was sentenced to 48 months in prison for throwing a flaming Molotov cocktail at sheriff's deputies during a protest.

Bill Essayli

First Assistant United States Attorney who stated that Gálvez's "reckless behavior threatened the lives and safety of law enforcement officers and that of a lawful protester."

Brian Yang

Assistant U.S. Attorney who previously said Gálvez "overstayed a visa" for more than a decade.

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What they’re saying

“This defendant's reckless behavior threatened the lives and safety of law enforcement officers and that of a lawful protester. My office remains steadfast in its efforts to prosecute and punish those who commit acts of violence against others.”

— Bill Essayli, First Assistant United States Attorney

The takeaway

This case highlights the potential for violence during protests over immigration enforcement actions and the importance of prosecutors taking a firm stance against those who threaten public safety, even in the context of civil unrest.