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Sheriff star announcement of news conference
Sheriff Robert Luna discusses Palmdale Use of force incident from july 14, 2022 1024 552 SIB Staff

Sheriff Robert Luna discusses Palmdale Use of force incident from july 14, 2022

Statement from Sheriff Robert Luna regarding a Palmdale Use of Force

One year ago tomorrow, on July 13, 2022, just prior to midnight, Palmdale Station deputies conducted a traffic stop after seeing a car driving at night without headlights. During the traffic stop, deputies smelled alcohol coming from the vehicle. There were also four females and three infants in the vehicle. The infants were being held in the arms of the mothers without the use of child car seats.

As a result, deputies on scene made the discretionary decision to arrest the passengers and the driver for felony child endangerment. The male driver was also arrested for driving suspended license and driving under the influence of alcohol. Additional deputies and a supervising sergeant arrived to assist with the traffic stop.

During the arrests of the females a use of force occurred on two of the women to affect the arrest and gain control of the infants. One of these uses of force involved a mother and her three-week-old infant, who was refusing to let go of her child. During the encounter a deputy punched the female twice in the face.

This use of force was assigned to the Internal Affairs Bureau for an investigation shortly after the incident.
The event was captured on the deputies Body Worn Camera, and we have released the video today, in accordance with our commitment to transparency.

As your Sheriff, I want to speak clearly and directly to our community about this incident. I found the punching of the woman in these circumstances unacceptable. While this incident occurred one year ago, before my term as Sheriff began, I took swift action upon learning of this incident several days ago. I must note that state law precludes me from disclosing disciplinary actions taken in this matter.

I directed our Professional Standards Division to refer this incident to the District Attorney for criminal consideration. The Los Angeles FBI Office will also looking into this matter.

I have spoken with local elected officials, along with community and religious leaders, to discuss this incident.

Even during our most difficult moments – we must continue to work together as a community to build bridges, to have those painful and candid conversations. And that is my commitment, so we can establish public safety and public trust for this Department.

I have said it before, and I will repeat it again; the vast majority of our deputies and professional staff are doing incredible work on behalf of the 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. I remain in awe of the professionalism, commitment, and courage shown by members of our Department each and every day.

I was elected as Sheriff to keep our communities safe, and to bring new leadership and accountability to this department. And that’s exactly what we will do. My goal is to ensure services are respectful, empathetic, and constitutional.

That is our standard – which is what Los Angeles County deserves from this Department.

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LASD Custody Assistant participates in dog training program to assist Guide Dogs of America 800 170 SIB Staff

LASD Custody Assistant participates in dog training program to assist Guide Dogs of America

Our Twin Towers Custody Assistant Officer Valenzuela has been participating in a dog training program to assist Guide Dogs of America achieve milestones in their dogs to help them transition into becoming guide or service dogs for our military veterans and the disabled.

During Gretel’s visits at Twin towers Correctional facility, Gretel provided comfort and a smile to both our staff and inmates.

man holding mobile phone call from unkown number
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telephone and impersonation scams

Telephonic and impersonation scams have been on the rise and we have a few safety tips to prevent you from being a victim of these type of crimes.

  • Be aware of how in depth your social media post may be.
  • Do not upload material with personal information or make private information about yourself public.
  • Law enforcement agencies will never call and ask for money, gift cards, cryptocurrencies, personal information or any form of payment over the phone, EVER!
  • Verify the validity of the caller by calling your local police station before taking any action.

If you have elderly parents/grandparents, extended family, friends etc. who live alone, please inform them and protect them from these predatory calls.

Don’t be a victim of a crime.

Sheriff Robert Luna is wearing a dark blue suit with a red tie, He is speaking behind a microphone and the California State flage is visible behind him.
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Lancaster use of Force Press Conference

Sheriff Robert Luna holds News Conference regarding Lancaster Use of Force 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has opened an investigation into this incident. While the Department does not make statements related to ongoing investigations, Sheriff Luna has made it clear that he expects Department personnel to treat all members of the public with dignity and respect, and that personnel who do not uphold our training standards will be held accountable. In the interest of transparency with our community, the Sheriff’s Department is releasing body-worn camera video from the incident.

Background:
On Saturday, June 24, 2023, Lancaster Sheriff’s Station deputies responded to a report of an in-progress robbery at a grocery store at 700 block of West Avenue K-4 in the city of Lancaster.

Upon arrival, deputies approached a man, and a woman, matching the description given by store security personnel in calls placed to 911.
As deputies attempted to detain the individuals described by store security personnel, the encounter escalated into a use of force incident that was captured by a community member with a cell phone camera. The video is disturbing.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has initiated an investigation of this incident.  That investigation will include reviewing body-worn camera video, surveillance video from the store and cell phone video provided by a community member. 
Both deputies have been re-assigned from field duty pending further administrative review.

An objective review of the incident will be conducted to determine if the force used was reasonable, necessary, appropriate, and proportional to the level of actions described.  ­

We take the use of force very seriously and are determined to establish the facts of the incident.
The body-worn camera video is available at the following links: https://www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/062423-lancaster-incident-dep-1/
https://www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/062423-lancaster-incident-dep-2/     

Please note that this video is being released before a full investigation of this incident and that additional facts may come to light that are not apparent in the body-worn camera video.­­

Banner with the words "FIREWORK SAFETY" in all capital letters. Black background with fireworks exploding in the sky. Sheriff's star is on the left. LA county logo and fire dept. logo are on the right.
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Firework Safety

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the County of Los Angeles want all county residents to celebrate this day safely, responsibly and encourage everyone to visit a firework show.

THERE IS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR THE USE AND SALE OF ILLEGAL FIREWORKS IN THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES.

If caught in possession of or handling illegal fireworks, you may be facing significant fines and criminal prosecution.

Below are just some examples of illegal fireworks that are not to be used.

Cherrybomb: round spherical firework that is red in color with a two inch green fuse sticking out of the top.

Cherrybomb

6 bottle rockets: long red sticks are holding up a cylindrical charge that is about three inches long. a green two inch fuse is found at the bottom. A package of bottle rockets are laying below.

Bottlerockets

SkyRockets

Long cylinder tube used to launch projectiles with a square base. Long black box package is on the side of the tube.

Mortars

3 inch cylinder firework, Red in color. with a one inch green fuse in the center

M80

Pile of individual firecrackers that are strung together. Each individual fire cracker are red cylinders with a white fuse attaching them all together in a long ribbon

Firecrackers

ALL FIREWORKS CAN CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY AND DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY IF NOT HANDLED CORRECTLY.

Visit the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s website at www.fire.lacounty.gov for firework safety tips.

LOCAL ORDINANCE MAY PROHIBIT “SAFE & SANE” FIREWORKS IN YOUR AREA.
(Check prior to purchasing)

To report an emergency dial 911.

To report illegal fireworks, find your local Sheriff’s station phone number at www.lasd.org/stations/.

To report illegal fireworks anonymously, 1-800-222-TIPS

List of Fireworks Shows in your area

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department wishes you and your family a happy and safe 4th of July. Our partners at County of Los Angeles Fire Department have released a list of fireworks shows in the LA County area: 2023 Fireworks Show Directory.

Fireworks Safety

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LASD Develops New Custody Bail Procedure Following Los Angeles County Superior Court Ruling on Bail Schedule 800 170 SIB Staff

LASD Develops New Custody Bail Procedure Following Los Angeles County Superior Court Ruling on Bail Schedule


LASD Develops New Custody Bail Procedure Following Los Angeles County Superior Court Ruling on Bail Schedule

California Superior Court Judge Lawrence P. Riff declared on May 16, 2023, that enforcing the bail schedule, including monetary bail, violates the Due Process clause of the U.S. and California Constitutions. As a result, the judge has issued a preliminary injunction that prohibits the application or enforcement of the Los Angeles Superior Court’s 2022 Felony Bail Schedule and 2022 Bail Schedule for Infractions and Misdemeanors by the Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles Police Department before arraignment.

This ruling will impact only pre-arraigned arrestees and applies solely to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).  The 45 independent city agencies within the county may continue to hold their inmates from arrest through arraignment.

As part of the court’s directive, the Sheriff’s Department will now adhere to the provisions outlined in the “THIRD LOS ANGELES COUNTY EMERGENCY BAIL SCHEDULE MODIFICATION,” effective October 20, 2020, at 5:00 p.m.

  1. Elimination of cash bail: The modification aimed to eliminate the requirement of posting cash bail for most misdemeanor and non-violent felony offenses. Instead, individuals charged with these offenses would be released on their recognizance or subject to non-monetary conditions.  The Los Angeles County Jail System will not accept inmates who do not meet the exception criteria outlined in the Emergency Bail Schedule, this includes court lock-ups. These arrestees will need to remain in the custody of the arresting agency until the arraignment is complete or the arrestee is released by that agency.
  2. Exceptions for certain offenses: The modification did not apply to serious or violent offenses, including certain most crimes such as of violence, sexual offenses, domestic violence, and offenses involving weapons.  Please review the exception criteria outlined in the Emergency Bail Schedule.

The judge’s ruling also updates the “Repeat Offender” provision, stating that subsequent offenses committed while released on $0 bail during the abeyance period will be subject to bail parameters set forth by the applicable bail schedule.

The ruling will not affect Parole and Probation Revocations unless they fall under the pre-arraigned provision of the preliminary injunction.  Parole or probation warrants undergo judicial review before being issued.

As noted above, this ruling only applies to pre-arraigned arrestees.  Inmates remanded by the Superior Court will continue to be accepted into the Los Angeles County jail system.

Third Emergency Bail Schedule – PDF

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Family Seeks Help to Solve the Murder of carlos Alvarez-Diaz-$30,000 Reward

Family Members Seek Public’s Help to Solve the Murder of their Loved One, Detectives Announce $30,000 Reward

On Wednesday May 17, 2023, detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD) Homicide Bureau, City Officials from Hawaiian Gardens and relatives of the victim held a press conference to announce a $30,000 reward in exchange for information that will lead to the identity, arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Carlos Alvarez-Diaz. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a $20,000 and the city of Hawaiian Gardens offered an additional $10,000, for a total of $30,000.

On October 8, 2022, at approximately 1:09 a.m., LASD deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon, gunshot victim call at the 22300 block of Wardham Avenue, in the city of Hawaiian Gardens, CA. 

Upon arrival, deputies observed Mr. Carlos Alvarez-Diaz lying on the ground, near his vehicle, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper torso. 

The Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived on scene and pronounced Mr. Carlos Alvarez-Diaz deceased. A 14-year-old was also struck by gunfire but survived. 

Homicide investigators learned Mr. Carlos Alvarez-Diaz was shot while he drove north on Norwalk Boulevard at 226th Street, in the city of Hawaiian Gardens. Investigators believe Mr. Carlos Alvarez-Diaz was an innocent victim of this senseless act of violence.

The suspect vehicle is described as a dark-colored, four-door vehicle with several males inside.  The shooter was described as a Hispanic male, in his late teens or early 20’s, wearing a black t-shirt and black beanie.  The vehicle was last seen northbound on Norwalk Boulevard.

Carlos Alvarez-Diaz grew up in Hawaiian Gardens and was a resident of San Bernardino at the time of his death. He was a family man whose greatest joys were his two daughters and his unborn son. He enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends.   

 “My brother was not a gang member. He was not looking for trouble. He was just driving his car around and unfortunately, he was the victim of a senseless act of violence. He leaves behind a wife, two girls and a baby boy who is never going to meet his dad. If anybody knows anything, we ask that you please call this number and give us information. Don’t do it for the money, do it because it’s the right thing to do,” said Carlos’ brother, Adrian Diaz.

“Those responsible for murdering Carlos Alvarez-Diaz and shooting and injuring a 14-year-old are still at large. If you have any information that could help Sheriff’s detectives solve this case, I urge you to come forward.  Carlos’s family need and deserve answers. I appreciate the Sheriff Department’s attention to this case and our partnership in bringing this reward forward,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn in a written statement.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or (323) 697-7327. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.

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Law Enforcement Continues Response to Fentanyl Epidemic

Law Enforcement Continues Vigorous Response to the Fentanyl Epidemic

On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, National Fentanyl Awareness Day, law enforcement officials announced a dozen new federal cases targeting fentanyl dealers who, except for one case, allegedly sold fentanyl and fake pills containing fentanyl that directly resulted in the death of at least one victim.

The announcement was made at a news conference in which federal authorities, joined by local law enforcement leaders, discussed their ongoing effort to combat the proliferation of fentanyl. This potent synthetic opioid is found in many illicit drugs and is killing approximately 70,000 Americans every year.

 “The two main drivers causing fentanyl-related deaths in our community and throughout the nation are accessibility and deception,” said DEA Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner. “Social Media platforms have made fentanyl widely available to anyone with a smartphone and made every neighborhood an open-air drug market. The deceptive marketing tactics used by the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels have created a vast pool of victims who unknowingly ingested fentanyl and did not choose to be harmed or die. Through the DEA Overdose Justice Task Force, we continue to send a strong message to individuals who engage in drug trafficking resulting in death or great bodily injury that selling even one fentanyl pill will have significant consequences in the federal criminal justice system.”

On July 1, 2022, the Sheriff’s Department created the Overdose Response Task Force. The team is comprised of highly trained investigators from the Narcotics Bureau, Major Crimes Bureau, Special Victims Bureau, and Operation Safe Streets Bureau. This team works closely with the Drug Enforcement Agencies and the United States Attorney’s Office. 

When a suspected overdose call is received, investigators immediately respond to the scene and process the scene the same way a homicide scene would. These investigations aim to identify the seller(s) of the controlled substance and determine if they are criminally culpable in the death.

 Sheriff Robert Luna sent a strong message to those distributing the illicit drug: “If you are distributing this poison, our goal is to charge you with murder when there is an overdose out there. Plain and simple, you’re distributing this poison, you’re going to go to prison for a long time for committing murder.”

The best way to help combat the fentanyl drug problem is through awareness and education. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department urges everyone to talk to loved ones about the dangers of drugs.

 People are also encouraged to report any activity that appears to be suspicious or criminal in nature. Information can be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.

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Reward announced for information leading to arrest and conviction of Compton Resident

LASD Homicide Detectives and Victim’s Family AnnounceD Reward for Information Leading to the Arrest and Conviction for those Responsible of the Murder of a Compton Resident

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detectives held a press conference to announce a $20,000 reward in exchange for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of 65-year-old Richard Allen Jefferson Sr. The reward is sponsored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Second District.

On Wednesday, September 19, 2018, at approximately 6:38 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon, gunshot victim call on the 1400 block of Paulsen Avenue, in the City of Compton, CA. Upon arrival, deputies observed the victim lying on the ground, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.  Los Angeles County Fire Department arrived on scene and began medical treatment on the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.

The victim was identified as 65-year-old Richard Allen Jefferson Sr., a resident of Compton, California. Based on information gathered, it appears that Mr. Jefferson was an innocent bystander. He was killed for no reason other than being friendly and having a conversation with a few other males that lived in the neighborhood. During the conversation, a car drove south on Paulsen Avenue and shot at the group, striking Mr. Jefferson. Investigators believe the vehicle was occupied by gang members from another neighborhood who mistakenly thought Mr. Jefferson and the other males were gang members. Neither Mr. Jefferson not any of the other male members had ever been involved in gangs.

“Here we are again, another family coming to the community asking for their help to resolve this senseless murder. Richard was a brother, he was a son, he was a father, a grandfather who was very much loved and it is our hope that with the money that’s being offered for information leading to the arrest of the person we can solve this,” said Mr. Jefferson’s brother, Kenneth Jefferson.

LASD Homicide detectives believe there are witnesses in the area who may have seen the suspects or know the suspects. If anyone has information about Mr. Jefferson’s 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).

Press Conference

outdoor picture of Sheriff's motorcycles parked along a race path. People dresses as Spiderman, Flash and Supergirl are standing facing the racers.
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Super Hero 5K Run Walk

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, hundreds of runners, walkers and families gathered at Los Angeles County Bonelli Park for the Super Hero 5K Run/Walk Health & Safety Expo. Participants ran and walked at their own pace and enjoyed the event’s festivities afterwards.

The event was a fundraiser for Crime Survivors, an organization that provides hope and healing to victims and survivors of crime through advocacy and the support of resources, information, and empowerment.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Luna, Patricia Wenskunas, CEO and Founder of Crime Survivors; Captain Richard Ruiz from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Bureau, Captain Andrew Meyer from Homicide Bureau and Jonathan Hatami from the District Attorney’s Office, attended the event to help raise awareness, prevention, advocacy, and healing for victims of crime.

Thank you to everyone who participated and thank you to the organizers and volunteers for making the event a success!