FBI agents have arrested Alejandro Orellana, a member of radical Latino paramilitary group Brown Berets, for distributing military-grade riot shields to protestors, exposing a complex web of revolutionary organizations funded through hidden channels designed to foment civil unrest across major American cities.
Key Takeaways
- Alejandro Theodoro Orellana was arrested by the FBI for distributing “bionic shield” face masks to demonstrators, charged with Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders under 18 USC 371
- Orellana is linked to both the Brown Berets, a Chicano nationalist paramilitary group, and Centro CSO, which has connections to the Communist Party
- A complex financial network involving the South California Immigration Coalition and Silicon Valley Immigration Committee is funding these revolutionary activities
- Law enforcement officials are actively investigating who is behind the sophisticated funding of these coordinated civil disruption attempts
- The distribution of military-grade protective equipment suggests preparation for planned confrontations with police during protests
FBI Arrests Key Operative in Coordinated Civil Disorder Plot
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken decisive action against what appears to be an organized effort to incite violence during recent protests in Los Angeles. Alejandro Theodoro Orellana was arrested on charges of Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders under federal statute 18 USC 371. The arrest came after Orellana was captured on video distributing specialized “Bionic Face Shields” to protesters in downtown Los Angeles on June 9th. These shields, which closely resemble riot control equipment used by law enforcement, raised immediate concerns about the organized nature of recent civil disturbances.
“ARRESTED: Alejandro Theodoro Orellana was arrested this morning by FBI Los Angeles on an allegation of Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders (18 USC 371) for distributing face shields to suspected rioters on Tuesday. We are moving quickly to identify and arrest those involved in organizing and/or supporting civil disorder in Los Angeles,” stated Bill Essayli, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.
Paramilitary Connections and Revolutionary Networks Exposed
The investigation into Orellana has uncovered his membership in the Brown Berets, a radical Chicano nationalist paramilitary group with a history of anti-police rhetoric and militant activism. The Brown Berets are not merely a local organization but reportedly have operatives positioned in several major U.S. cities, suggesting a coordinated national network. Orellana’s additional affiliation with Centro CSO, a radical Hispanic organization based in East Los Angeles, further demonstrates the interconnected nature of these revolutionary groups.
Centro CSO’s public mission statement claims they are “Defending public education and fighting for all oppressed people in Boyle Heights & East LA,” according to their official materials. However, investigation reveals their connections to the Communist Party and receipt of funding from the South California Immigration Coalition (SCIC), suggesting a far more radical agenda than their public-facing statements indicate.
Following the Money: Hidden Financial Networks
The arrest has prompted authorities to investigate the sophisticated funding mechanisms behind these organizations,” said Elex Michaelson, FOX LA observed the distribution of protective gear, he questioned: “It certainly seems like gear you’d wear if you’re preparing for conflict with police. Who is funding this?” This pertinent question highlights the central mystery that investigators are now working to unravel.
The financial trail leads from Centro CSO to the South California Immigration Coalition, which is linked to Legalization For All, which in turn organizes the Silicon Valley Immigration Committee. This deliberately complex financial structure appears designed to obscure the ultimate sources of funding and shield wealthy donors from public scrutiny. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has made it clear that authorities are “moving quickly to identify and arrest those involved in organizing and/or supporting civil disorder in Los Angeles,” indicating a broader investigation is underway.
Preparing for Confrontation: Evidence of Planned Civil Disorder
The military-grade equipment being distributed to protesters represents a significant escalation in tactics. The “Bionic Face Shields” distributed by Orellana are not typical protest gear but specialized equipment that resembles that used by riot control officers and military personnel. This suggests not merely spontaneous protest but preparation for planned confrontation with law enforcement. The coordinated distribution of such equipment indicates a level of organization and funding that goes well beyond grassroots activism.
With President Trump’s administration taking a firm stance against those organizing civil disorder, the FBI’s arrest of Orellana signals a significant shift in how federal authorities are approaching these incidents. Rather than treating them as isolated protests, they are now being investigated as part of a broader, coordinated effort to disrupt public order through planned confrontations with law enforcement. The investigation continues to identify others involved in this network of revolutionary organizations and their financial backers.
