Jury Acquits CSU Channel Islands Professor in Assault Case From ICE Raid Protest

In a swift and decisive verdict, a federal jury in Los Angeles acquitted Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a math and philosophy professor at California State University, Channel Islands, of assaulting federal officers during a July 2025 immigration raid protest.

Caravello had been charged with throwing a tear gas canister at Border Patrol agents during a large-scale Homeland Security operation at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, Ventura County. Prosecutors claimed he aggressively lobbed the canister "overhand" at law enforcement as protesters tried to block their vehicles.

But Caravello’s defense told a different story. They argued he was trying to help a fellow protester in a wheelchair who had a tear gas canister stuck beneath their seat — a critical detail that resonated with the jury. After just two hours of deliberation, jurors delivered a not guilty verdict, clearing Caravello of any wrongdoing.

The California Faculty Association praised the outcome, stating, “The jury’s decision underscores John’s right to peacefully protest and speak out against the cruelty and inhumanity this administration has shown toward immigrants.” The charge carried a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

This acquittal marks a rare rebuke of aggressive federal tactics used to suppress immigration protests, which have frequently targeted activists and community members. Caravello’s victory rally on Friday morning highlighted ongoing resistance to ICE raids and the broader crackdown on immigrant rights.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not yet commented on whether this verdict will influence how it prosecutes similar cases involving protests against immigration enforcement.

This case is a stark reminder of the stakes involved when federal authorities use heavy-handed raids to intimidate communities and silence dissent. The swift acquittal sends a clear message: peaceful protest against unjust immigration policies is a right, not a crime.