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(Camarillo, CA) – A college professor who allegedly threw a tear gas canister during an immigration raid at a marijuana farm in California has been indicted. Prosecutors say 37-year-old Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a professor at California State University Channel Islands, got involved in the confrontation back on July 10 of this year. The operation involved Homeland Security and US Border Patrol — at the Glas House Farms, in Camarillo, California.
The raid targeted the marijuana farm for potential violations of federal immigration laws — as well as the possibility of child labor violations. More than 300 arrests were made and 14 children were detained.
For allegedly throwing the dangerous tear gas at agents, Caravello could face up to 20 years in prison. He and other protesters had gathered at the farm’s entrance, lying on the ground and using vehicles to block the way. Reports say as the protest escalated, some threw rocks at agents. Eventually, a tear gas canister was deployed — Caravello is accused of kicking it, then picking it up and throwing it at Border Patrol agents. Allegedly, that act was caught on body-worn camera.
For his part, Caravello says he was trying to dislodge the canister from under a fellow protester’s wheelchair. He denies any attempt to harm agents. Arrested at the scene, Caravello is accused of leaving — changing clothes — then returning, at which time he was detained.
Caravello is expected to face arraignment in the coming weeks with an eventual appearance in US District Court in Los Angeles.
In the wake of his initial arrest, officials at Cal State Channel Islands supported Caravello, saying he was taking part in a peaceful protest, as is his First Amendment right. The California Faculty Association referred to his arrest as “an abduction.” Most recently, the university declined further comment — citing the ongoing investigation and legal process.
It’s also worth noting that Caravello delivered comments at a Camarillo City Council meeting the night before the incident in question, explaining his intent to patrol city streets and protect so-called “undocumented” neighbors from “armed masked thugs.”
In a broader context, the Trump administration’s second term continues to crackdown on illegal immigration. But the marijuana farm raid also drew scrutiny because a farm worker died after falling from a greenhouse roof.
