A federal grand jury has declined to indict Ray Collins, 21, and Jocelyne Robledo, 30, a married couple from Chicago’s South Side, who were arrested during a violent protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview last month. Prosecutors moved to dismiss the case on Wednesday, a rare outcome that suggests the charges may have lacked sufficient evidence.
The couple had been accused of carrying loaded firearms while clashing with officers attempting to expand a security perimeter during the September demonstration. Both hold valid permits to carry. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Havey told Magistrate Judge Gabriel Fuentes that the grand jury returned a “no-bill” after reviewing the proposed charges.
The protest was part of a wave of near-daily demonstrations following the launch of “Operation Midway Blitz,” a federal enforcement initiative targeting undocumented immigrants. Federal agents deployed tear gas and baton rounds during the Broadview incident, which led to 11 arrests, including a journalist.
Collins’ attorney, Richard Kling, praised the grand jury’s decision, saying it upheld the right to protest. Prosecutors had previously argued Collins posed a danger for bringing a weapon into a volatile setting, though Kling maintained his client never brandished the firearm.
Judge Fuentes acknowledged the case was a “very close call,” noting ICE’s aggressive posture at recent protests and the potential for escalation. While Collins had initially been ordered held pending trial, the dismissal effectively ends the case.