Video shows federal agents whisking away man at court

A man pleaded for help as federal agents carried him by his arms and legs away from Los Angeles’ largest criminal courthouse Wednesday morning, marking another instance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement using a tactic that has been repeatedly condemned by the legal community.

- BY JAMES QUEALLY

The man, identified by two sources and court records as Steven Rony Reyes, was charged late last month with possession of drugs with intent to sell. He was in court on Wednesday for a preliminary hearing, records show.

But when he exited the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Temple Street, he was quickly surrounded by federal law enforcement officers, according to video obtained by The Times and a witness who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Several men wearing surgical masks can be seen detaining Reyes, with some putting the masks on once they realized they were being filmed. A man with a salt-and-pepper beard who appeared to be in charge of the arrest responded, “Yes,” when a woman in the crowd asked if he was with ICE, the video showed.