Police tally 11 arrests in riot case

By Anthony Clark Carpio

Aug. 7, 2013 12 AM PT

A transient pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges stemming from his alleged participation in the Huntington Beach disturbance following the U.S. Open of Surfing, according to court officials.

Eli Reuven Jackson, 20, was arrested on suspicion of assault, vandalism, inciting a riot and refusing police orders to disperse after he turned himself in Tuesday, according to a Huntington Beach Police Department news release.

Police said Jackson, whose last known address is Sunset Beach, may have participated in damaging newspaper stands on Main Street and a Public Works Department truck on Olive Avenue.

He was released on his own recognizance. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15 while a preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 19 in the West Justice Center in Westminster, the court clerk said.

His family positively identified him, according to a Facebook post by the Police Department.

Jackson is the 11th person to be arrested in association with the July 28 unrest, which damaged businesses along Main Street at the conclusion of the world renown surfing competition.

Police are continuing to identify and arrest more suspects tied with the disturbance. A photo album was created on the department’s Facebook page, which included more than 20 pictures of potential suspects they hope the public can help name.

About 250 officers, including 148 from 21 neighboring police agencies, quelled the unruly crowd.

City Hall is still waiting for damage estimates and cleanup costs, city spokeswoman Laurie Frymire wrote in an email.

On July 31, police arrested a second juvenile, a 17-year-old from Huntington Beach, for allegedly throwing a beer can at officers and committing acts of vandalism, according to an HBPD Facebook post.

The teen was arrested on suspicion of assault on an officer, vandalism, inciting a riot and refusing orders to disperse, according to the statement. He was booked into Orange County Juvenile Hall.

Another suspect, Chase Scott Christman, appeared at his pretrial hearing Wednesday at the West Justice Center.

A court official said he was required to attend daily self-help meetings and wear an alcohol-monitoring device. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.

Christman, 19, of Simi Valley, pleaded not guilty July 30 to charges of vandalism, inciting a riot and refusing to disperse. He faces up to three years in state prison if convicted.

A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Friday for Illario Niko Johnson, who was the first suspect to be identified on social media.

The 18-year-old Chino resident pleaded not guilty Aug. 1 to charges of arson, inciting a riot, unlawful assembly and refusing orders to disperse. He posted a $20,000 bond and was released Friday. Johnson faces up to three years in state prison if convicted.

A 15-year-old teen from Huntington Beach was booked Thursday into Orange County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of assaulting a peace officer, vandalism, inciting a riot and refusing orders to disperse.

Fullerton firefighter Michael John Lytle, 30, of Anaheim, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was placed on leave from the department.

Five arrestees have yet to be arraigned:

Andres Gomez, 24, of Huntington Beach, was arrested on suspicion of refusing to disperse and resisting arrest;

Michael Anthony Avila, 28, of Santa Ana, was arrested on suspicion of resisting or delaying a police officer;

Joseph Monterrosa, 28, of Ontario, was arrested in suspicion of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Adam A. Cecot, 18, of Irvine, was arrested on suspicion of refusing to disperse;

Kyle Roger Crott, 18, of Riverside, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and resisting arrest.

A man sought by Huntington Beach police in connection with the disturbance following the U.S. Open of Surfing turned himself in Tuesday, according to a statement from the department.

Eli Reuven Jackson, 20, a transient whose last known address is Sunset Beach, was arrested on suspicion of assault, vandalism, inciting a riot and refusing police orders to disperse, police and prosecutors reported.

Police believe he may have participated in damaging newspaper stands on Main Street and a city Public Works Department truck on Olive Avenue.

At his arraignment on Wednesday, Jackson pleaded not guilty to charges to assault, inciting a riot, refusing to disperse and two counts of vandalism, according to a court official.

He was released on his on recognizance and a pretrial hearing is scheduled for Aug. 15 while a preliminary hearing on Aug. 19 in the West Justice Center, the court official said.

Jackson was positively identified by his family, according to a Facebook post by the Huntington Beach Police Department, which last week secured an arrest warrant.

He is the 11th person to be arrested in association with the July 28 unrest, which damaged businesses along Main Street at the conclusion of the world renown surfing competition.