Musician Injured in Camarillo Cannabis Raid Files Federal Civil Rights Claim Against DHS

Guitarist’s finger was shattered and he was struck at least six times by federal agents’ “less lethal” projectiles in less than 15 seconds, filing states.

MARINA DEL REY, CALIF., August 27, 2025 – A guitarist whose hand was shattered by “less lethal” projectiles used against peaceful protesters during a July 10 military-style raid on a cannabis farm has filed a federal civil rights tort claim against Department of Homeland Security, U. S. Customs and Border Protection and U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

One man died during the chaotic, hours-long immigration raid on the Glass House cannabis greenhouse in Camarillo by dozens of ICE, DEA, DHS and National Guard troops hunting for undocumented farm workers.

Camarillo guitarist and recording engineer Alec Bertrand was among those peacefully protesting when federal agents shot him multiple times, without warning, with “less lethal” devices, shattering the delicate bones in his left index finger and hitting him in the testicle, shoulder, back and leg.

“These masked federal agents unnecessarily shot Mr. Bertrand multiple times with less-lethal ammunition, causing serious injury while he was peacefully protesting,” said DeSimone, a civil rights attorney. “Their conduct demonstrated callous disregard and willful violation of the U.S. Constitution, including the First Amendment and the Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Under the Federal Tort Claim Act, the United States of America can be held liable under California Law Civil Code 52.1, the Bane Civil Rights Act.”  

DeSimone has previously held the United States liable for asylum officer abuses pursuant to the Bane Act in Xue Lu et al vs. USA et al.  621 F.3^rd 944 (9^th Cir. 2010). 

A federal tort claim is the first step in filing a federal civil rights lawsuit against a federal agency. 

Bertrand was among several dozen Ventura County peaceful activists who that morning were alerted to the raid and gathered where agents and officers had blocked Laguna and Las Posas roads, about two miles from California State University Channel Islands. The crowd, holding signs, voiced opposition to the mass arrest of working Latinos based on racial profiling, the excessive force used in the raid and expressed support for the farmworkers’ rights to appear before a judge.

Without warning, federal agents opened fire on the crowd with tear gas grenades and other devices. Bertrand figures he was hit at least six times within about 15 seconds. He had only been at the protest for about a half hour. Bertrand is concerned he has permanent damage to his hands and finger, preventing him from engaging in his work and passion in music. 

“This was not law enforcement, it was an assault on the constitutional rights of peaceful citizens,” DeSimone said. “If the federal government can get away with this, no protester in America is safe.”

Los Angeles civil rights attorney V. James DeSimone has dedicated his 40-year law career to providing vigorous and ethical representation to achieve justice for those whose civil and constitutional rights are violated.