A federal grand jury just sent a clear message: attack Border Patrol with cinderblocks, and you could spend decades in prison.
Indictment Details and Alleged Conduct
Federal prosecutors announced that a 30-year-old Paramount resident, Jacob Daniel Terrazas, was indicted for assault on a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon after an anti-ICE protest in Paramount, California on June 7, 2025. According to the Justice Department, Terrazas allegedly threw multiple cinderblock fragments and rocks at U.S. Border Patrol agents, with one fragment striking an agent’s shin and causing injury. The indictment cites the “deadly and dangerous weapon” element, elevating potential penalties under federal law.
Local reporting corroborates the indictment and key facts, including the date, location, and alleged three-hour barrage of projectiles before agents detained the suspect on scene. Coverage notes the U.S. Attorney’s Office publicized aspects of the arrest through social media, reflecting a deterrence posture aimed at discouraging violence against federal officers. The statutory maximum for the charged offense reaches 20 years, underscoring the seriousness with which assaults on federal personnel are treated in federal court.
Legal Framework and Why the Charge Matters
The case turns on the federal statute protecting officers, which enhances penalties when a dangerous weapon is used and bodily injury results. Prosecutors characterize cinderblock fragments as capable of causing serious harm, fitting the “deadly and dangerous weapon” standard when thrown at close or medium range. This approach aligns with established federal practice in protest-related prosecutions involving improvised projectiles. The injured agent, per reports, returned to duty after receiving attention, but the presence of bodily injury triggers the law’s higher penalty tier.
The government’s framing emphasizes deterrence: assaults on agents enforcing immigration law will be charged aggressively, with maximum exposure designed to discourage repeat offenses. For conservatives concerned about rising hostility toward law enforcement, the indictment signals renewed federal resolve to protect officers amid tense demonstrations. Defense arguments, which may challenge identification, intent, or weapon classification, have not yet been reported and will be tested in court through standard due process.
Timeline, Status, and What Comes Next
The alleged assault occurred June 7, 2025, during an anti-ICE demonstration that escalated, with agents reporting hours of thrown debris. A federal grand jury returned an indictment announced August 8, 2025. The case now advances toward arraignment and pretrial proceedings; no conviction or plea has been recorded as of the announcement. Short term, the region can expect tighter federal-local coordination at immigration-related events. Long term, a conviction could set a deterrent example for handling improvised weapons at protests.
Anti-ICE Rioter Who Hurled Cinderblocks at Border Patrol Indicted, Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison. Give him the max sentence then deport him with the understanding if he returns capital punishment will result. https://t.co/yPN1WhMK9W
— Ronald K. Hanzel (@ronaldkhanzel) August 11, 2025
For readers tracking broader policy, assaults on federal officers during immigration operations land at the intersection of law-and-order expectations and constitutional rights to peaceful protest. The distinction is critical: speech is protected; violent conduct is not. This case—focused on bodily injury and alleged use of dangerous projectiles—illustrates where the line was crossed, according to prosecutors. As proceedings unfold, evidence filings and courtroom arguments will clarify disputed facts while reaffirming that officer safety remains a nonnegotiable priority.
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Man charged with throwing cinderblocks at ICE during Paramount protest faces up to 20 years
Anti-ICE rioter faces serious federal charges after attacking Border Patrol with cinderblocks
Paramount Man Indicted for Throwing Cinderblocks at Border Patrol Officer