Justice Department Moves to Dismiss Charges Against David Huerta

The United States Department of Justice moved to dismiss its criminal case against David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union-United Service Workers West, on July 28, 2026. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California filed the motion on Monday, stating the case will be fully dismissed by the end of August if Huerta continues to comply with pretrial release terms.

Huerta was arrested in June 2025 during a protest against immigration raids conducted by the Trump administration at an Ambiance apparel warehouse in Los Angeles. He was originally charged with a felony for conspiracy to impede an officer before the charge was downgraded to a misdemeanor obstruction charge. Federal authorities initially maintained the arrest was justified because Huerta blocked a vehicular gate and obstructed agents executing a judicial search warrant.

Huerta characterized the prosecution as a baseless attempt to silence his constitutional rights and a weaponization of the judicial system. He reported being tackled and pepper-sprayed during the arrest, asserting his actions were protected by the First Amendment. The dismissal follows a pattern of legal failures for the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles, which has reportedly lost nearly every case that went to trial among more than 100 filed against protesters.