The homeless individual who was apprehended by onlookers after allegedly attempting to start fires with a blowtorch near a wildfire in Los Angeles is reported to be an undocumented immigrant, potentially shielded by California’s sanctuary city policies. Sources from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have identified the suspect as Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, a Mexican national unlawfully present in the United States, as per information shared with Fox News.
The incident occurred in Woodland Hills, where concerned residents took matters into their own hands upon observing Sierra-Leyva purportedly igniting old Christmas trees and debris with what was described as a “flamethrower” shortly after the wildfire erupted on Thursday. The suspect was subsequently subdued and restrained by community members until law enforcement intervened.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has confirmed that Sierra-Leyva is currently being held on a felony probation violation, although specifics regarding his prior conviction have not been disclosed. While detectives are exploring the possibility of arson, LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi has indicated that the evidence available at this time does not conclusively support such a charge.
ICE intends to issue a detainer request for Sierra-Leyva, but it is anticipated that California’s sanctuary state statute will prevent its enforcement, in line with sources cited by Fox News. Enacted in 2017, California’s sanctuary state law prohibits the allocation of state resources toward aiding federal immigration enforcement efforts. Additionally, the Los Angeles City Council passed an ordinance in November to prohibit the utilization of city resources and personnel for federal immigration enforcement activities.
Sierra-Leyva’s arrest took place in the vicinity of the Kenneth Fire, which ravaged over 1,050 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura counties over a span of three days, ultimately being contained by Sunday morning. Video footage capturing the incident depicts local residents confronting and detaining the suspect as he brandished the alleged “flamethrower,” with demands to relinquish the device being shouted.
One witness, Renata Grinshpun, recounted hearing commotion outside and witnessing individuals converging on Sierra-Leyva, ultimately effecting a citizen’s arrest with makeshift restraints. LAPD officers responded to the scene and formally took Sierra-Leyva into custody, with the involvement of the major crimes squad due to his suspected connection to the fire outbreak. Nonetheless, no formal charges of arson have been brought against him as of the latest briefing provided by Choi.
The circumstances surrounding the felony for which Sierra-Leyva was on parole remain undisclosed at this time, leaving unanswered questions regarding his criminal history. Investigations into the origin and cause of the Kenneth Fire are ongoing, with authorities committed to unraveling the intricacies of the incident.
As the case unfolds, the intersection of immigration enforcement and public safety policies in California continues to be a focal point, with the sanctuary city framework presenting complex challenges in situations involving individuals like Sierra-Leyva. The delicate balance between safeguarding immigrant communities and upholding the rule of
