The Sheriff Discussed the Board of Supervisor’s Failed Act to Provide Counsel and a Pending Civil Claim which BWC Video will Dispute
On Wednesday, February 23, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to discuss the Board of Supervisor’s retaliatory act of failing to provide legal counsel regarding pending litigation with Fulgent Genetics, as well as a pending civil claim of harassment which Body Worn Camera video will dispute.
In his opening statement, Sheriff Villanueva talked about the pending litigation against Fulgent Genetics, in which he was wrongfully accused of making false claims about Fulgent. Sheriff Villanueva released an audio recording that took place on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. The caller identified himself as an agent with the FBI assigned to the Los Angeles Office. He expressed needing to speak to the Sheriff regarding an urgent matter that was time sensitive.
Following the audio clip, an email was published which confirmed a meeting would be taking place at the FBI Los Angeles main office specifically regarding “Fulgent Genetics Laboratory.” That email followed the initial phone call and was dated Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
In response to the meeting Sheriff Villanueva attended, in which he was notified of the concerns of Los Angeles County using Fulgent Genetics as a source for COVID testing of their employees, Sheriff Villanueva ultimately decided to stop using their system for LASD employees.
In retaliation for being sued for false claims against Fulgent Genetics, Sheriff Villanueva was denied legal defense by Los Angeles County Counsel. A portion of the letter he received in which he was denied legal counsel was released to the public.
In addition to the Fulgent Genetics subject being discussed, Sheriff Villanueva expressed his concern about the way the Board of Supervisors have highly supported the belief that families of those who have been involved in fatal deputy-involved shootings, are constantly intimidated and harassed by the very same deputies who shot them.
In closing, body worn camera footage was shown to help provide some clarity on a current civil harassment claim that was filed earlier this year. The claim indicated Deputies from East Los Angeles Station encountered and confronted the family of Paul Rea, who was shot by Deputies in East Los Angeles in June 2019, on purpose and taunted them. The footage clearly showed the Deputies did not harass any member of the public during the “so-called” confrontation, and the allegations made against the deputies are baseless.
Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force AnnouncesArrests and Rescues by California Law EnforcementDuring Operation Reclaim and Rebuild
During a press conference on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced details and results from the seventh annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild enforcement operation, conducted by the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force and more than 80 participating federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, and task forces from across California. The week-long, statewide effort aimed at combatting human trafficking took place between Sunday, February 6, and Saturday, February 12, 2022, and was conducted in various mediums and met with positive results.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva was joined by executives and representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles Police Department, San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office, Santa Ana Police Department, United States Attorney’s Office, Saving Innocence, Zoe International and the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
Operation Reclaim and Rebuild focused on rescuing victims of sexual slavery and human trafficking, providing victims with much-needed services, identifying and arresting their captors, seeking successful prosecutions, and disrupting the demand for vulnerable victims by targeting their customers. Police agencies and other trafficking task forces throughout our state joined in the enforcement operation to send the clear message that California law enforcement shares a unified mandate: Human trafficking must not be tolerated in our state!
In preparation for the event, an operational planning meeting took place in Los Angeles, with over 200 federal, state and municipal law enforcement detectives from all over California in attendance. Investigators focused enforcement operations wherever the trafficking of human beings took place, from confronting the reality of sidewalk prostitution by conducting demand operations, to challenging the virtual reality of the cyber world where traffickers believe they can operate anonymously using the internet.
The internet furnishes a vast variety of opportunities for traffickers, but with the experience of specially-trained cyber detectives who posed as vulnerable teenagers and interacted with suspects on social media, traffickers and customers who were anxious to exploit found their plans foiled.
Victims encountered during enforcement efforts were cared for by personnel from various Department of Children and Family Services Agencies and victim service providers in each county. In Los Angeles County, South Los Angeles Anti-Trafficking Committee, comprised of Saving Innocence, Zoe International, Journey Out and many other local service providers coordinated the emergency services response for victim care and collaborated with similar, non-governmental victim service organizations throughout the state.
Operation Reclaim and Rebuild was widely successful in its endeavor with 65 adult and 7 minor victims being recovered; 182 males arrested for the charge of Solicitation; and 30 suspected traffickers and exploiters were arrested. In total, 413 arrests were made.
Sheriff Villanueva relayed the mission, efforts and results of Operation Reclaim and Rebuild, he gave a firm direction to the Victims, he reiterated, “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and our partners stand with each victim of this heinous crime. You are the focus of this endeavor. We are here for you. We are here to help you reclaim your freedom from the binds of sex trafficking, and to provide you the support and tools to rebuildyour lives.”
To the traffickers and solicitors: “We will not tolerate the enslavement and trafficking of others in any form. We will seek you out and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.
To the Johns: “Purchasing commercial sex is illegal and buying sex adds to the exploitation of those involved.”
The Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, which oversaw the coordinated effort, defined the undertaking, “Operation Reclaim and Rebuild is a state-wide operation which displays the mutual commitment of California law enforcement, social service agencies, and victim service providers in the fight to end sex trafficking. The L.A. Regional Human Trafficking Task Force is an example of how individual entities can be far more effective, when they join together in a shared mission. Today, 7 children have been rescued from their exploiters and 65 women have been connected with the services necessary to rebuild their lives, free from exploitation.”
The Executive Director, Alan Smyth from “Saving Innocence” challenged the media by stating “Human Trafficking happens all year long, every day. The big sporting event just left town but you know what? We haven’t left town and we are going to be here every single day in combating this incredible, brutal crime that has been perpetrated on our most vulnerable. So the biggest mistake we can make would be turning off our cameras and not writing anymore articles because somehow we think human trafficking is gone because the Super Bowl is not here anymore. I want to stand before you and tell you, it has not gone away.”
“From top to bottom, California is committed to the fight against human trafficking,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “We’re working all across the state to hold accountable those who use force, fraud, or coercion to exploit people for labor or sex, and provide services to those they victimize. Our teams — whether in San Diego, Fresno, or Sacramento — are on the ground day-in and day-out to secure justice, and protect and help heal those who are abused and exploited. We’re proud to continue to support our partners through Operation Reclaim and Rebuild. Together, we’re helping build safer communities for all.”
The following agencies and task forces participated:
L.A. Regional Human Trafficking Task Force
Operation Reclaim & Rebuild
2022 Participants
Human Trafficking Task Forces
Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Task Force
Concord Police Department
Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
Contra Costa County Probation Department
Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff
El Cerrito Police Department
FBI Safe Streets (Contra Costa County)
Homeland Security Investigations
Lafayette Police Department
Martinez Police Department
Pittsburg Police Department
Richmond Police Department
San Pablo Police Department
San Ramon Police Department
Walnut Creek Police Department
Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force
California Attorney General
California Highway Patrol
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Homeland Security Investigations
Inglewood Police Department
LA County District Attorney’s Office
LA County Probation Department
LA County Sheriff’s Department
Los Angeles Airport Police
United States Attorney’s Office
Orange County Human Trafficking Task Force
Anaheim Police Department
California Highway Patrol
Irvine Police Department
Orange County District Attorney’s Office
Orange County Sheriff’s Department
Santa Ana Police Department
Placer Special Operation Unit
Lincoln Police Department
Placer County Sheriff’s Office
Rocklin Police Department
Riverside County Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force
Homeland Security Investigations
Riverside County Sheriff’s Department
Riverside Police Department
San Bernardino County Human Trafficking Task Force
California Highway Patrol
California State Parole
Homeland Security Investigations
San Bernardino County Probation Department
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Human Trafficking Task Force
California Department of Justice – Attorney General’s Office
California Highway Patrol
Federal Bureau of Investigations
Homeland Security Investigations
National City Police Department
San Diego City Attorney’s Office
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
San Diego County Probation Department
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department
San Diego Police Department
United States Attorney’s Office
San Luis Obispo County Human Trafficking Task Force
California Department of Justice
California Highway Patrol – Coastal Division
Federal Bureau of Investigations
San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office
San Luis Obispo County Probation Department
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office
San Luis Obispo Police Department
Santa Barbara County Human Trafficking Task Force
Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department
Santa Barbara Police Department
Santa Maria Police Department
Tulare County Human Trafficking Task Force
California Department of Justice, Fresno SPAT Unit
Tulare County District Attorney’s Office
Tulare County Sheriff’s Department
Tulare Police Department
Visalia Police Department
Ventura County Human Trafficking Task Force
California State University Channel Islands
Homeland Security Investigations
Simi Valley Police Department
Ventura County District Attorney’s Office
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office
Agencies
Brentwood Police Department**
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (Parole)
Chula Vista Police Department
Costa Mesa Police Department
Fresno Police Department
Huntington Beach Police Department
Laguna Beach Police Department
Long Beach Police Department
Merced Police Department
Modesto Police Department
Napa County Sheriff’s Department
Oakdale Police Department
Pittsburg Police Department**
Pomona Police Department
Sacramento Police Department
San Francisco Police Department
Santa Ana Police Department**
Solano County Sheriff’s Department
Stanislaus County Probation Department
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department
Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office
Suisun City Police Department
Turlock Police Department
Vacaville Police Department
Vallejo Police Department
**Agency participated with task force and independently
Family Seeks Public’s Help To Solve The Murder of Otis Rayjon Williamshttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/1-1024x683.jpg1024683SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
On Monday, February 9, 2022, Homicide Bureau detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to ask for the public’s help for information leading to the identification of the vehicle and suspect(s) responsible for the murder of Otis Rayjon Williams.
On Friday, July 3, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., 14 year-old Otis Rayjon Williams was shot and killed while walking to a local market listening to music, in an alley south of 98th Street between Central Avenue and Pace Avenue. This tragic incident occurred in the Florence-Firestone area of Los Angeles.
Detectives released video of the incident which shows the suspect vehicle stopped, the suspect’s arm reached out of the driver side window, and attempted to fire at Otis. It appeared the gun malfunctioned, and the suspect cleared the malfunction by racking the slide of the gun. Once cleared, the suspect fired several shots at Otis, striking him in the upper torso. The vehicle fled west on 98th Street, then onto South Central Avenue and out of view.
The suspect vehicle is described as a 2015-2018 blue Dodge Challenger and had no front license plate. At the time of the shooting, the hood, roof and trunk had a broad dark-colored stripe that runs from the front to the back. In addition, it had a dark-colored rear spoiler and an insignia reading “Challenger RT” on the front grill.
Otis was 14 years old and the youngest of 7 siblings. Otis enjoyed playing basketball, listening to music and loved joking with his siblings.
“He was a good boy. He was respectful and he respected all his elders and we just miss him. He was the baby. I have 7 kids and he was the baby of the family. He was my little buddy. I don’t understand how this can happen and why? My main thing is why?…He was just a kid, why would you do that? I’m just hoping the public knows something and comes forward” said Francine Brazil, Otis’ mom.
If you have information about Otis’ senseless murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Help Solve The Murder of Ricardo Trujillo – Reward announcedhttps://lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/i-nQWRHVs-X2-1024x721.jpg1024721SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Family Seeks Public’s Help To Solve The Murder of Ricardo Trujillo; Detectives Announce $15K Reward
On Monday, February 7, 2022, Homicide Bureau detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to announce a $10,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Ricardo Trujillo Ramirez. Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell sponsored a $10K reward and, during the press conference, Colonel Jack E. Thomas III, United States Cadet Corps, added $5K to the reward.
On Friday, September 24, 2021, at approximately 11:50 p.m., 16 year-old Ricardo Trujillo Ramirez was leaving a party with his friends near the 1900 block of Pine Street in the city of Compton, when they were confronted by a group of individuals and a large fight took place. One of the suspects pulled out a gun and shot Ricardo in the upper torso. Although paramedics arrived at the location rather quickly, Ricardo sadly succumbed to his injuries.
Ricardo was a junior at Narbonne High School in Harbor City. The Lomita resident enjoyed playing soccer, swimming and fishing. Ricardo’s dream was to be a drone pilot for the Air Force and he was on the right path, as he was a member of the ROTC and the Junior Navy Program for almost eight years.
“It’s not easy to get up every morning knowing that he is no longer here because one person decided to take his life. I demand justice because my life is pointless without him. I’m asking people for help. Even the littlest of information may be of great help to them. He wanted to join the army for four years and after those four years, he wanted to be part of the DEA, I want to be a police officer, I want to be someone big because I have the instinct of helping people and I want you to be proud of me.’ Although he didn’t accomplished any of that, I’m always proud and will always be proud of him. On October the 8th, he was going to receive an award for his eight years as a Cadet in the ARMY,” said Norma Ramirez, Ricardo’s mom, in Spanish.
Colonel Jack E. Thomas III, United States Cadet Corps, had some touching words about Ricardo: “I did know Ricardo for seven years and he was an excellent student. Not only did the coward that shot him took his life, but he weakened the nation. Ricardo was going to be a ranger. Yes, he was training to be a ranger and a lot of people don’t make it but the persons who were training him, my staff members, who are also special forces, said he had the aptitude to become one of them. So my program is going to add $5,000 to the 10 ($10,000 reward).”
This generous contribution by Mr. Thomas increased the reward from $10,000 to $15,000 in exchange for any information that will lead to those responsible for the murder of Ricardo.
If you have information about Ricardo’s senseless murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
The LASD Special Enforcement Bureau – Emergency Services Detail has been hosting basic Tactical Casualty Care Course (TCCC) training for LASD deputies and other law enforcement agencies. The course teaches lifesaving medical techniques that can help save a person’s life during a high-stress tactical incident.
During a tactical incident, access to the scene by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel may be limited. Our deputies often provide medical attention to trauma patients until EMS personnel can safely enter the scene.
Course topics include:
Introduction to Tactical Medicine/Tactical Medical Planning
Tactical Casualty Care/Tactical Mass Casualty Incident Management
Tactical Medical Equipment
Medical Aspects of Wound Ballistics/Management of Blast Injuries
Hemorrhage Control
Airway and Respiratory Management
For more information on TCCC training contact Sheriff’s Information Bureau.
The month of January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Sadly, millions of people worldwide are forced to endure this form of modern-day slavery. Traffickers prey on the most vulnerable – those looking for opportunity in the US, those without families, and unsuspecting young people online. Anyone can become a victim of human trafficking.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department- LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, which falls under the umbrella of our Special Victims Bureau, was created to combat the various crimes encompassed by this horrendous crime.
To report human trafficking, call your local law enforcement agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security tip line at (866) 347-2423, or contact L.A. Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking and is looking for support or services, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888. Visit their website at: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/
