
Man Caught With Blowtorch Near LA Wildfires Turns Out To Be Illegal Immigrant
A man caught on video being detained by citizens near the raging Los Angeles wildfires has been identified as Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, an illegal immigrant from Mexico. The disturbing footage showed residents restraining Sierra-Leyva after he was spotted carrying a yellow blowtorch in Calabasas, just miles from where the destructive Kenneth Fire began.
Witnesses described how concerned residents took matters into their own hands. “A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizen’s arrest,” one participant told reporters. Despite the alarming situation, authorities initially struggled to hold Sierra-Leyva, ultimately charging him with a felony probation violation instead of arson due to a lack of immediate evidence.
The man with a blowtorch tackled by neighbors in California amid the wildfires turned out to be an illegal alien from Mexico.
The madness ENDS on January 20. pic.twitter.com/nWA0n6Hi7A
— Scott Adams (@scottadamsshow) January 13, 2025
Every one of the problems was caused by gross incompetence… including the voters who elected gross incompetence into California's govt.
Good grief, even the guy caught with a blowtorch setting a fire, was an illegal alien. Something else that's on Californian incompetence.
— Brian Nunya (@UCBearcat90) January 13, 2025
Sierra-Leyva’s immigration status has reignited fierce debate over California’s Sanctuary State law (SB 54), which limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed plans to place a detainer on Sierra-Leyva but expressed little confidence it would be honored because of the state’s sanctuary policies.
Let me guess. Maybe it was the illegal alien out on parole that had a blowtorch and was held for police by concerned citizens, who was then released with no charges.
— Sandy (@SandyNRojo) January 13, 2025
Man Detained With Blowtorch Near Wildfire ID’d As Illegal Immigrant, Not Charged With Arson: Report https://t.co/JR5D5vgoeM
1/These wildfires are as intentional and planned as those on Maui. The globalists and oligarchs of LaLa Land now have brown Third World replacements for— miles e drake (@medrakemd) January 13, 2025
Critics argue that California’s lenient stance on illegal immigration endangers communities. “While Los Angeles burns, state leaders are more focused on shielding illegal immigrants than protecting their citizens,” one local resident stated. Recent reports revealed California lawmakers had allocated $25 million in taxpayer money to provide legal aid for immigrants like Sierra-Leyva, even as wildfires ravage the state.
Ignore the fact that we just arrested a violent illegal migrant who was caught with a blowtorch and starting fires! It's just the wind!!
— ChudMan (@ChudManCometh) January 13, 2025
The wildfires have already scorched more than 40,000 acres, destroyed over 12,000 structures and claimed at least 24 lives. First responders continue to search for missing persons, bracing for the death toll to rise as high winds threaten to worsen the fires.
'Not enough evidence' to charge blowtorch-wielding illegal immigrant with arson for LA fire https://t.co/z8L373HEke via @BIZPACReview
— Stan Lipowski (@stalip77) January 13, 2025
As Sierra-Leyva awaits his court appearance, many are demanding answers about how someone suspected of dangerous behavior could remain in the U.S. due to sanctuary laws. This incident has intensified calls for reform, with critics insisting that public safety must take priority over protecting individuals who are in the country illegally.