A Southern California man is expected to plead guilty Monday, May 11, 2026, after federal prosecutors say he opened fire with a paintball gun on a Federal Protective Service officer during anti-immigration enforcement protests in downtown Los Angeles on June 9, 2025. Edwin Osvaldo Manriquez is accused in court filings of discharging multiple paintballs that struck the officer in the head and neck area, and the plea addresses an assault charge that carries a possible multi-year federal prison term.
According to MyNewsLA, Manriquez has agreed to plead guilty before U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang to a federal count of "assault on a federal officer by deadly or dangerous weapon." The outlet reports that the charge carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, underscoring that investigators are not treating the paintball fire as a harmless prank.
An FBI affidavit described by the Los Angeles Times says the paintballs hit the officer on the head, left ear, left cheek, left neck and left shoulder while the officer wore protective gear. The affidavit alleges that the rounds were fired from the passenger seat of a white 2005 Infiniti G35 and that agents later recovered the paintball gun and paintballs during a search of a co-defendant's garage.
Court schedule and charges
Per the U.S. District Court calendar, Judge Anne Hwang has a May 11, 2026 status conference and change-of-plea appearance in case CR 25-0582. The docket lists counts that include conspiracy, assault on a federal officer by a deadly or dangerous weapon, and depredation of government property. The court entry names the assigned prosecutors and defense counsel and notes that the matter is set for a plea-related appearance in Room 9C at the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.
How investigators say they linked him to the scene
Prosecutors say they matched the vehicle's license plate on video from the protest and used that lead to identify Manriquez and a driver. Text messages excerpted in court papers reportedly show the driver warning the shooter not to fire and the shooter responding that their faces were covered. Those investigative details are laid out in the affidavit and in reporting by the Los Angeles Times.
Legal implications
Federal law enhances penalties when a deadly or dangerous weapon is used against a federal officer. Under 18 U.S.C. 111, an enhanced assault conviction can carry up to 20 years in prison. If Manriquez pleads guilty, sentencing will be determined later by the judge under federal sentencing guidelines and any terms of a plea agreement.
