Overview
- Adrian Martinez, a 20-year-old Walmart employee, was detained on June 17 in Pico Rivera when Border Patrol agents carried out an operation at the shopping center.
- U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has accused Martinez of punching an agent in the face, leading to federal interference charges even though no formal charging date has been announced.
- Surveillance video released June 19 captures agents chasing Martinez and pushing him to the ground, which his family says proves he did not initiate physical contact.
- Martinez is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles and his relatives have been unable to visit or speak with him since his arrest.
- Residents in Pico Rivera have organized a protest calling for Martinez’s release and launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover his legal expenses.