California professor charged for assaulting federal agents during a cannabis farm raid where 350 illegal immigrants were detained.

Raid Uncovers Large-Scale Immigration and Labor Violations

Federal authorities arrested Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a mathematics professor at California State University Channel Islands, for allegedly assaulting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a major raid on a Ventura County cannabis farm last week. The operation, which resulted in more than 350 arrests of illegal immigrants, also revealed evidence of suspected child exploitation and forced labor involving 14 minors.

Caravello was accused of throwing a tear gas canister back at agents during the raid at Glass House Farms. According to U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the professor was charged under 18 USC 111 for assaulting, resisting, or impeding a federal officer. The California Faculty Association (CFA) initially described Caravello’s detention as a "kidnapping," a claim federal officials quickly disputed. "Professor Jonathan Caravello was not ‘kidnapped’ by federal agents. He was arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement," Essayli clarified on social media.

Body camera footage, referenced in a federal affidavit, showed Caravello attempting to kick the canister before picking it up and throwing it at agents. The affidavit also alleges Caravello resisted arrest, refused commands, and tried to grab a Border Patrol agent’s leg during the arrest, while using a megaphone with siren sounds to disrupt officers.

Community Response and Legal Proceedings

Caravello appeared in court on Monday and was released on a $15,000 bond, leaving the courthouse with an ankle monitor, as seen in a CFA-posted video. The CFA defended Caravello, stating, "Jonathan is a deeply committed educator and mentor who showed up for their students and immigrant communities—and for that, they were targeted." The university echoed this support, citing Caravello’s right to peaceful protest under the First Amendment and calling for due process.

The raid saw violent clashes between ICE agents and around 500 protesters, some waving Mexican flags. Law enforcement vehicles were hit with rocks, and an agitator allegedly fired a handgun toward officers, prompting agents to use tear gas to disperse the crowd. Caravello left the protest scene after the incident but returned later in different clothes, at which point he was identified and arrested.

The Glass House Farms raid is believed to be the second-largest single-state ICE worksite operation in history, following the 2019 Mississippi poultry plant raids. Authorities report that among those arrested, one individual had a record of violent crime and attempted child exploitation. The children rescued were identified as being from Mexico and Honduras, and immigration authorities continue to review the backgrounds of all 319 detained individuals.

Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation

This high-profile case has renewed debate over immigration enforcement, labor exploitation, and the role of faculty activism in protest movements. As the legal process unfolds, it highlights the tensions between immigration policy, labor rights, and academic freedom. The outcomes of the investigation and legal proceedings are likely to shape ongoing conversations about public protest and law enforcement in California and beyond.