Remember this guy?
Felon that should be charged with attempted murder, hurls rocks at Border Patrol and unmarked Federal vehicles leaving Paramount California. pic.twitter.com/sXO5MvrU8p
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 7, 2025
That took place in Paramount, California last month during an anti-ICE protest. One of the stones he threw shattered the glass and injured an agent inside the vehicle. The suspect was originally dubbed the "rock thrower." Very quickly people found other videos of him and the FBI put together a wanted poster.
He was charged with assaulting a federal officer the next day and a day after that he was identified as Elpidio Reyna, 40, of Compton.
The FBI has identified the man #wanted for assaulting a federal officer this weekend as Elpidio Reyna, 40, of Compton, CA. He is considered a fugitive and we continue to seek his location. A #reward of up to $50K is being offered for information leading to his arrest/conviction. pic.twitter.com/WPEE6SIjZp
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) June 10, 2025
Even the White House X account got involved:
Elpidio Reyna, 40, of Compton, is wanted for assaulting a federal officer by throwing rocks and improvised explosives at federal agents in their vehicles. He faces up to 8 years in prison.
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 11, 2025
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture. pic.twitter.com/2owDZyArVF
A search warrant was executed at his home but Reyna wasn't there. For weeks, that seemed to be the end of it. He was clearly on the run and there was no word of police catching up to him...until yesterday. It turns out he had fled to Mexico:
Reyna’s photograph and description were publicized in the United States and Mexico, including in an Instagram post from the official White House account. A poster circulated by the FBI said he was wanted for “the alleged assault of a federal officer.”
Mexican authorities took Reyna into custody in the state of Sinaloa shortly after the post was made public, and Reyna surrendered to the FBI on Wednesday, according to the bureau. He was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry and taken to L.A., where he was expected to make his initial court appearance Wednesday.
U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli posted about Reyna's capture on X:
ARRESTED: Elpidio Reyna surrendered today at the U.S.-Mexico border to face a felony charge of assault on a federal officer for throwing rocks at passing law enforcement vehicles in Paramount on June 7.
He was taken into custody by a U.S. Border Patrol officer who was inside one of the vehicles damaged in the attack — a brave law enforcement officer who could have been killed in last month’s dangerous and reckless attack.
I thank @FBILosAngeles, @CBP, and @USBPChiefELC for their efforts to track down this dangerous felon.
To anyone who thinks they can attack federal officers and hide behind a mask or helmet, Reyna’s arrest today proves we can find and charge anyone who violates federal law. Don’t touch our officers.
The post on X included video of the arrest.
ARRESTED: Elpidio Reyna surrendered today at the U.S.-Mexico border to face a felony charge of assault on a federal officer for throwing rocks at passing law enforcement vehicles in Paramount on June 7.
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) July 23, 2025
He was taken into custody by a U.S. Border Patrol officer who was inside… pic.twitter.com/9ExZPnEAPT
FBI Director Kash Patel acknowledged the arrest:
CAPTURED: Elpidio Reyna — wanted by the FBI since June 7 for allegedly assaulting a federal officer and throwing rocks at law enforcement vehicles conducting immigration operations in Paramount California.
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) July 23, 2025
He was arrested today at the U.S.-Mexico border and will face justice.… pic.twitter.com/pbWpkXjyGT
As did AG Pam Bondi:
Following an @FBI manhunt, we now have custody of Elpidio Reyna — who’s been on the run since early June for assaulting ICE officers.
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) July 23, 2025
You can run, but you can not hide. If you attack a law enforcement officer, we’ll find you. https://t.co/a6Y9pBW0ek
Reyna has a prior history of arrests for DUI, plus felony cases for drugs and burglary. So he's not likely to get a light sentence in this case. He's probably going to prison for several years. According to news reports, Reyna is a US Citizen so he isn't facing deportation at the end of whatever stint behind bars he gets.
