A US Army veteran who was arrested in an immigrant attack on a marijuana farm in Southern California last week said he was dragged from his car on Wednesday and sprayed with tear gas and pepper before being pinned to a federal agent who arrested him.
George, 25, who works as a security guard at Glasshouse Farm in Camarillo, said on July 10, several federal agents surrounded his car and identified him as a US citizen, smashed his windows, sprayed peppers and dragged him out.
“Two officers nailed my back and then one on my neck to arrest me, but my hands were already behind my back,” Littes said.
Rhett was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, and said he was placed in a special cell and checked daily after being emotionally distraught after missing out on his 3-year-old daughter’s birthday party on Saturday.
He said that federal agents never told him why he was arrested or grant him the opportunity to contact an attorney or his family during his three-day custody.
Rickes said he joined the Army at the age of 18 and was deployed to Iraq in 2019.
“I joined the service to make myself better,” he said. “I did that because I love this (let) country. We are one country, and no matter what, we should be together. All separation between everyone is not the way.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said more than 300 people were arrested during two immigration enforcement operations on farms in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
DHS secretary Kristi Noem has announced that federal agents have arrested 319 people during an operation at Glass House Farms near Camarillo and Carpinteria.
“I have just been given an update on Thursday’s operations at a marijuana facility in California. @DHSGOV law enforcement rescued 14 children from potential forced labor, exploitation and human trafficking. They arrested 319 illegal aliens. Office,” Noem wrote.
The DHS said law enforcement activities are part of an investigation into immigration and potential child labour violations.
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