At a Glance
- Judge Fernando M. Olguin dismissed the indictment of TikTok creator Carlitos Richard Parias.
- The dismissal hinged on lack of counsel access and the government’s failure to provide body-camera footage.
- Parias was shot during a “targeted enforcement traffic stop” in October 2025.
- Why it matters: The ruling questions federal agencies’ conduct in a high-profile shooting involving a U.S. Marshal.
The case centers on a shooting that occurred in South Los Angeles in October 2025, when federal agents and a deputy U.S. Marshal confronted Parias during a traffic stop. The agents accused him of driving back and forth, striking law-enforcement vehicles that had boxed him in, and attempting to escape an immigration arrest. Parias was hit in the elbow by a federal agent’s gun, while a ricochet struck a deputy in the head.
Judge’s Decision
Judge Fernando M. Olguin issued a 28-page order on Saturday, dismissing the indictment. He cited the defendant’s lack of access to counsel while detained and the government’s failure to meet deadlines, including the release of body-camera footage. The judge stated:
> Judge Olguin said:
>
> “In short, the government’s failure to coordinate the overlapping actions of its separate agencies while relentlessly pursuing Mr. Parias’s criminal proceedings created a situation from which constitutional violations could – and did – occur.”
Incident Overview
The shooting took place during a DHS-called “targeted enforcement traffic stop.” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the event:
> DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said:
>
> > “During a targeted enforcement traffic stop in the Los Angeles area, Carlito Ricardo Parias-who had previously escaped from custody-attempted to evade arrest yet again. ICE law enforcement officers, assisted by U.S. Marshals, pulled the illegal alien from Mexico over in a standard law enforcement procedure. The illegal alien weaponized his vehicle and began ramming the law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee. Fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement, our officers followed their training and fired defensive shots.”
The incident was captured on video and broadcast by News Of Los Angeles on NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on December 28 2025.
Government Response
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles disagreed with the judge’s ruling. They stated:
> U.S. Attorney’s Office said:
>
> > “We strongly disagree with the court’s version of the facts as well as its legal conclusions.”
> > “We are reviewing the court’s decision and we will determine our options for an appeal.”
> > “In response to Mr. Parias ramming his vehicle at federal agents to avoid being deported, a federal grand jury returned an indictment against him, charging Parias with two felonies: assault on a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon and depredation of government property causing damage in excess of $1,000.”
> > “Despite Mr. Parias being a flight risk and danger to the community, the court ordered him released him on bond pending trial. He was appropriately taken directly into immigration custody – where he remains.”
> > “No matter what happens with his criminal case now or on appeal, rest assured that Mr. Parias’s days of openly flouting our nation’s immigration laws are over.”
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Shooting during traffic stop | October 2025 |
| Video broadcast on NBC4 News | December 28 2025 |
| Judge Olguin dismisses indictment | Saturday 2025 |
Key Takeaways
- Judge Olguin’s dismissal was based on procedural failures, not on the shooting itself.
- Parias remains in immigration custody despite the indictment’s dismissal.
- The case highlights coordination issues among federal agencies during high-risk operations.
The outcome underscores the importance of procedural safeguards in federal criminal prosecutions and raises questions about the conduct of federal law-enforcement agencies during traffic stops.
