Ulysses Sanchez was sentenced on Jan. 22 to six years in prison after negotiated plea

LOS ANGELES - A parolee who drove a minivan at protestors in downtown Los Angeles last June has been sentenced to six years in state prison after pleading no contest to assault with a deadly weapon.

"Peaceful protest is a fundamental right that strengthens our democracy; criminal activity is not," said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman. "We will fiercely protect the rights of people to peacefully protest, and we will equally fiercely prosecute those who commit criminal activity. This defendant's violent decision to drive into a crowd of protesters was an assault that endangered lives. This prison sentence sends a clear message that people who engage in acts of violence against those exercising their right to protest will be held fully accountable."

Ulysses Sanchez, 38, pleaded no contest yesterday to one count of assault with a deadly weapon, a vehicle, and admitted a prior unrelated conviction for assault with a deadly weapon.

On June 8, 2025, Sanchez drove directly at anti-ICE protesters, then repeatedly drove in circles before speeding away. No one was seriously injured.

Case 25CJCF03368 was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Mark Hara and investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.