California State University Channel Islands professor Jonathan Caravello has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of assault on a federal officer, following a confrontation during a raid on a Camarillo marijuana farm this past summer. Caravello, 37, is accused of picking up and throwing a tear gas canister at Federal agents, an act that could land him a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison if convicted. The incident took place on July 10, as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and United States Border Patrol agents were executing a search warrant at the facility, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California.
The scene escalated when protesters reportedly began throwing rocks at government vehicles, leading to the deployment of tear gas for crowd control and to ensure the agents’ safety. It’s during this tumult that Caravello allegedly attempted to kick one of the tear gas canisters away, then picked it up and hurled it back at the agents. His arrest involved a struggle where Caravello is said to have "continuously kicked his legs and refused to give agents his arms," as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice. The professor is now out on a $15,000 bond and is scheduled for arraignment "in the coming weeks."
The case, now being prosecuted by the Major Frauds Section, has yet to proceed to trial, where Caravello will have the opportunity to contest the charges brought against him. In the meantime, as noted by the U.S. Attorney's Office, "an indictment contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
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