The professor was protesting the raid where more than 350 illegal aliens were arrested and agitators also hurled rocks at law enforcement vehicles
A California college professor was arrested last week after allegedly throwing a tear gas canister at federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation at a marijuana farm.
Jonathan Anthony Caravello, a math and philosophy professor at California State University Channel Islands, was taken into custody during the raid, which took place in rural Ventura County. Federal prosecutors say Caravello interfered with law enforcement while they were executing a high-risk search warrant.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli addressed the situation after the California Faculty Association publicly accused authorities of “kidnapping” Caravello.
“Professor Jonathan Caravello was not ‘kidnapped’ by federal agents,” Essayli said. “He was arrested for throwing a tear gas canister at law enforcement. He is charged with violating 18 USC 111,” a federal statute concerning assault on federal officers.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by the Ojai Valley News, dozens of protesters gathered at the scene to obstruct the operation. Several reportedly threw rocks at government vehicles, damaging windows, mirrors, and body panels.
The complaint alleges Caravello ran toward an active tear gas canister, picked it up, and hurled it back toward Border Patrol agents. One agent stated the canister came within just a few feet of hitting law enforcement officers.
Caravello was released on $15,000 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on August 1.
In the broader context of increasing immigration raids across California, migrant advocacy groups are organizing a two-day statewide strike set for the end of the week. Organizers are urging the public to boycott fruit, vegetable, meat, and poultry products in solidarity with farmworkers, many of whom are undocumented immigrants.
Flor Martinez, an organizer who led a rally in downtown Los Angeles, emphasized the critical role migrant labor plays in California’s food supply chain.
“This strike isn’t just for us — it’s for the soul of this country,” she said.
Martinez noted that migrant workers are responsible for producing the vast majority of the state’s agricultural output — 80% of fruits and nuts, 60% of vegetables, and 90% of all grapes.
“Who feeds your children?” she asked. “Will you stand with the people behind your food? Because a nation that eats from exploited hands is a nation in crisis.”
