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2022

Passing of Retired Executive Officer Raymond Leyva 600 750 SIB Staff

Passing of Retired Executive Officer Raymond Leyva

The Office of the Sheriff is saddened to announce the passing of retired Executive Officer Raymond Leyva.  Mr. Leyva passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. 

Ray Leyva began his career as a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department in 1975, leaving the LAPD to work as a police officer for the Burbank Police Department in 1976, before transferring to the Sheriff’s Department in 1981.  He served as a Deputy Sheriff at Men’s Central Jail, Sybil Brand Institute for Women, and Firestone and Marina Del Rey stations before promoting to Sergeant in 1985.  As a Sergeant, he worked at multiple stations as well as Custody Division Headquarters.  Upon his promotion to Lieutenant in 1990, he was assigned to the Office of the Undersheriff, East Los Angeles Station, North County Correctional Facility, East Facility, Recruit Training Bureau, Custody Division Headquarters and Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau.

In August of 1999, he was promoted to Captain of Court Services West Bureau.  In 2001, he was transferred to Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau with responsibilities involving the Office of the Sheriff and all media interaction for the Department.  In 2003, he was placed in command of Men’s Central Jail and in 2004, was transferred to Pitchess Detention Center North Facility.  In March 2010, he was moved to the Pitchess Detention Center East Facility.

In 2012, Mr. Leyva was promoted to the position of Commander and assigned to Field Operations Region I, where he supervised patrol stations located in northern Los Angeles County.  In 2013, the Department reorganized and he was reassigned to North Patrol Division.  His responsibilities included managing the budget and personnel needs of the Division along with other administrative duties.

In 2016, he retired from the Department as a Commander after 35 years of service.  In 2018, he accepted an offer to return to the Department as an Executive Officer, performing the duties of the Undersheriff. 

Mr.  Leyva held both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University Los Angeles and Pepperdine University, respectively.  He graduated from several leadership programs throughout the country and taught “Train the Trainer” courses nationwide in the area of Analytical Interviewing.  Mr. Leyva had extensive training in Emergency Management protocols and completed the Tactical Science Course involving Disaster and Crime Scene Management.  He served as the HAPCOA representative to the Department of Homeland Security and assisted numerous agencies nationwide in the selection of supervisory and management personnel.

Mr. Leyva was a Past-National President of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Past-President of the Southern California Chapter of HAPCOA, Past-President and Board Member of the Los Angeles County Chicano Employees Association, Board Member of the Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA), as well as a member of several other Law Enforcement Associations. 

The Sheriff’s Department extends our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Leyva family.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

– Sheriff Alex Villanueva

Remembering 9/11, image of two lights rising up from the Night time New York Sky line.
Remembering 9/11 900 900 SIB Staff

Remembering 9/11

Twenty-one years ago, our world was drastically changed on September 11, 2001, when the United States was cowardly and viciously attacked by terrorists. In the span of a few moments, our nation’s history was redefined, and the scar of those tragic events will remain etched in our minds forever. 

Over three thousand American lives were lost that day, and many more continue to die due to illnesses they have developed over the years from that fateful morning. Today we honor their memory and pray that their families and loved ones find peace.

Today, we remember our heroes; the first responders who ran up the World Trade Center (Twin Towers) stairs. The first responders who went up the many levels of stairs to help people. With 40-plus pounds of equipment and fear in their eyes, they ran up those stairs into the unknown. Imagine, as innocent people ran down the stairs, those first responders kept running up. Not knowing what would come next, those first responders sacrificed their lives to help as many as possible and never got a chance to say goodbye to their families. Many heroes were lost that day and in the days to come. 

In the aftermath of September 11, the phrase, ‘Never Forget,” became a symbol. It is now a symbol that reminds all Americans never to forget those we lost. In memory of many, in honor of all, let’s stand united and never forget.

black and white image of a person with their hands folded over their face. words accross the top read "you are not alone". The next line reads " Suicide Revention Resources".
World Suicide Prevention Day 900 900 SIB Staff

World Suicide Prevention Day

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and continues to be on the rise. On #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, our goal is to raise awareness and hope that the information we provide can help prevent a tragedy from happening.

Recognizing the warning signs and understanding how to respond, can help prevent suicides.  Depression, financial problems, abuse, aggression, exploitation, or a life-changing event, can contribute to feelings of pain, despair, and hopelessness. If you or someone you love are in a crisis and suffer from depression, please don’t wait. Help is available, all you have to do is one of the following: 

•       Call 911

•       Go to the nearest hospital

•       Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 on your smartphone or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for free confidential emotional support. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the United States. 

•       Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting the word HELLO to 741741

•       Lifeline counselors are available for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing by dialing the 988 number.

•       Veterans and service members, the Veterans Crisis Line has crisis line responder readily available to help by texting 838255.

Visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website for more: https://988lifeline.org/

Homicide Detectives Release New Information about the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas 1024 633 SIB Staff

Homicide Detectives Release New Information about the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas

Homicide Detectives will Release New Information about the Murder of 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas; $20,000 Reward Offered

Homicide Bureau detectives will release new information they received via anonymous tip about the murder of Danah Rojo-Rivas. They will also release a picture of what they believe to be the actual suspect vehicle. On Wednesday, November 23, 2016, 16-year-old Danah Rojo-Rivas was in the backseat of her mother’s car, leaving a church function when suspects were chasing unrelated persons in a vehicle. The intended target exited his vehicle and fled south across Euclid Avenue in the City of Lynwood. The suspect fired several times, missing his target, but striking the car Danah was in. Danah was fatally wounded during the shooting. Homicide Detectives and deputies will go door to door in the neighborhood passing out flyers with a picture of what they believe to be the actual suspect vehicle.

Press Conference

Information wanted posters

$20,000 reward. Information Wanted. The suspects were last seen in a silver Ford Taurus.
$20,000 reward. Information wanted. Victim Danah Rojos-Rivas.
LASD officials discuss the coc hearing on deputy subgroups 1024 512 SIB Staff

LASD officials discuss the coc hearing on deputy subgroups

Department Officials Discuss the Civilian Oversight commission’s Hearing on Deputy Subgroups and Cliques within the Sheriff’s Department

On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco and Chief April Tardy discussed developments and actions taken on alleged deputy subgroups and cliques within the Sheriff’s Department in response to allegations made by the Chair of the Civilian Oversight Commission, Sean Kennedy. 

In a news interview last week, Chair Sean Kennedy made the following statement: “It is time to hear from the Sheriff and Undersheriff Murakami and the other LASD officials who have the authority to address deputy gangs, but it appears have done nothing to do so.” 

His statement could not be further from the truth. Sheriff Villanueva has addressed and taken various steps to address the problem, build community trust, and counter the false narrative broadcasted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and Civilian Oversight Commission (COC). Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco presented factual evidence of Sheriff Villanueva’s steps to address deputy subgroups and cliques. 

On his very first day as the Sheriff, Villanueva removed the captain of the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station and replaced the entire command staff. Throughout 2019, 36 East Los Angeles Deputies were transferred to other stations, four were terminated, and 22 that were part of the Kennedy Hall investigation were suspended without pay. 

In February of 2020, Sheriff Villanueva successfully implemented a department policy that prohibits employees from participating in any clique or subgroup that promotes conduct that violates the rights of other employees or members of the public, the first sheriff in the department’s history to do so. Department training videos on the topic were created and distributed, personnel viewed these training materials, and mandatory briefings regarding cliques were conducted. 

Additionally, Sheriff Villanueva sponsored AB 958 legislation for Peace Officer Cliques with Assembly Member Mike Gipson; AB958 was signed into law on October 2021. The legislation is intended to tackle the issue of “gangs” among peace officers that might undermine the professional standards of policing among California’s law enforcement agencies. 

In August 2020, the Kennedy Hall investigation was completed, and Sheriff Villanueva held a press conference to announce the investigation results, including the termination and suspension of the deputies involved. In September 2020, Sheriff Villanueva sent a message to all personnel requesting their participation in the RAND Corporation study on deputy subgroups. Deputies were encouraged to complete the anonymous survey.  

In March 2021, a subgroups and cliques policy re-briefing email was sent to department members, including a reminder that all employees would be held accountable for any policy violation. Unit commanders had their personnel sign a copy of the policy stating that they read and understood it.

In February 2022, the department created a portal on the department’s website so that the public could report any evidence of deputy gangs or employee misconduct in the department (https://lasd.org/report-employee-misconduct/). 

After Assistant Sheriff Francisco outlined the Sheriff’s actions to dispel rumors of inaction, Chief April Tardy spoke about her experience implementing all the subgroup policies to encourage compliance. “In addition, we’re holding our supervisors accountable to monitor the workplace and encourage our deputies to continue to work hard, rebuild our community relationships and make good decisions,” said Chief April Tardy. 

“Our goal today was to truly show the amount of work we have done and negate the headlines that the Sheriff and the department have done nothing regarding the deputy subgroups and cliques. I think you can see that this is the farthest from the truth,” said Assistant Sheriff Holly Francisco. 

Contrary to what the media or some politicians claim, many policies have been implemented regarding deputy subgroups and cliques so the community can trust that law enforcement and personnel are held accountable.   

Press Conference Video

Press Conference material

PDF presentation

Sheriff Alex Villanueva is the FIRST Los Angeles County Sheriff to successfully implement a policy banning “deputy cliques.” The policy went into effect.
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Active Shooter Training Drill 1024 839 SIB Staff

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Active Shooter Training Drill

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Active Shooter Training Drill at Lakewood Mall

On Monday, June 13, 2022, during the early hours of the morning, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Tactics and Survival Training Unit, Lakewood Sheriff’s Station personnel, and Los Angeles County Fire Department conducted an active shooter response drill at Lakewood Center Mall in the city of Lakewood. Lakewood’s Mayor Steve Croft, Lakewood’s Public Safety Director, Joshua Yordt, and Mall Property Manager, Deena Henry, were also present during the drill.

Deputies wait for training.

Today’s event involved a rapid response by deputies, mall security personnel, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The training simulated a shooting at the mall, and it incorporated simulated gunfire. Although the drill was an organized training, responding deputies were unaware of how many shooters were inside the mall, nor did they know the location of the shooters. To make it even more realistic, “injured” volunteers ran away from the shooter and towards responding deputies.

The goal of the training was to prepare deputies for an actual emergency. The realistic component of the training prepared them to successfully identify and react to threats and articulate their observations and decision-making process.

People are placed in make up to simulate injuries from an active shooter.

The men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department constantly prepare and train for active shooter events. In these unpredictable situations that evolve very quickly, preparation is the key. Preventing these types of tragedies and continuing to maintain a safe environment is a goal of law enforcement. If an active shooter incident does occur, you can be assured that LASD personnel will respond rapidly, efficiently, and decisively.

Image of LASD Leutenant standing at a podium with a flyer that reads Case Solved.
Sheriff and Homicide Detectives announce a Solved Cold Case from the 1980s 1024 819 SIB Staff

Sheriff and Homicide Detectives announce a Solved Cold Case from the 1980s

Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Homicide Detectives announce a Solved Cold Case from the 1980’s

On Sunday, October 13, 1985, Victim David R. Evans was brutally beaten to death inside his residence in Claremont, CA. His body was discovered by Claremont Police Officers when neighbors called to report a possible burglary. At the time of the murder, the 57-year-old victim was the Vice President at Pomona First Federal Bank and former Pomona Unified School District Superintendent. David was divorced and lived by himself. In 1985, the investigation had few leads, and no suspects were identified. 

In 2006, advancements in forensic technology prompted investigators to re-analyze evidence discovered at the scene of the crime. The analysis led to the identification of Hillery Marcus Dupleasis as a person of interest. Over the next several years, the ongoing investigation failed to further implicate Dupleasis to the case. Investigators were also unable to establish that Dupleasis resided in California at the time of the crime.

In 2020, Detectives Shaun McCarthy and Bill Marsh re-investigated the case with the help of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Scientific Services Bureau and they were able to link Dupleasis, a person of interest identified in 2006, as the suspect in the murder of David Evans. 

Investigators were able to definitively determine Dupleasis lived in the San Gabriel Valley during the time of the murder and were also able to link Dupleases to the Victim’s 1980 Chevrolet Monza that was stolen immediately after his murder and abandoned in Covina, approximately two hours later.

Dupleasis is currently incarcerated in a New York State Prison, serving an extensive sentence for an unrelated murder. He will be eligible for parole in that case, in 2033.

On May 2, 2022, 1stdegree murder charges were filed against Dupleasis by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The 36-year-old cold case murder was solved by detectives assigned to the Homicide Bureau’s Unsolved Unit. Detectives worked closely with investigators from the Claremont Police Department, New York State Police, and the New York Department of Corrections.

It is never too late to provide information that will assist detectives solve a case. If someone knows something about a crime, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. They can also provide information anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or use their smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.

Image of Victim, David Evans
Image of suspect Hillery Marcus Dupleasis

Press Conference Video

Image of a deputy wearing a tan Sheriff's Uniform riding a 4 wheel motorcycle. he is riding on a beach with the ocean and skyline behind him.
Beach Patrol Mission 1024 863 SIB Staff

Beach Patrol Mission

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Announces the Beach Patrol Mission

On Saturday, May 28th, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) will officially kick off the LASD Beach Patrol Mission, which will run from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The beach patrol will consist of members from the Sheriff’s Response Team and the Mounted Enforcement Detail.

The team will perform high visibility patrol to assist LASD beach partners with extra patrol from Playa del Rey to Malibu. The LASD Homeless Outreach and Mental Evaluation Teams will be available and part of the deployment throughout the summer.

“Summer is upon us and the last couple of years have been challenging for everyone. I want to remind the community that we’re doing our best, we’re stretching our resources so that people feel safe wherever they are, including the beach areas of Los Angeles County. This summer, the LASD Beach Patrol Mission will be visible throughout our beaches so that visitors and the community have a great time at the beach,” stated Sheriff Villanueva.  

The Sheriff’s Department wants all residents and visitors to our LA County beaches to have a safe, and enjoyable summer. Please visit our social media pages for additional information. 

Sheriff Villanueva is standing at a podium infront of a TV that reads. "Dramatic Rise in crimes. Quality of life issues involving homlessnes on the Metro.
LASD Operation Safe Travel 1024 682 SIB Staff

LASD Operation Safe Travel

Sheriff Alex Villanueva announces LASD Operation Safe Travel

Within the last six months, there have been several crimes in the Metro system including people pushed on train tracks, unprovoked attacks on passengers by homeless individuals. Sexual assaults on female passengers, and a patron intentionally set on fire while riding the train have also been reported. Several of these crimes resulted in fatalities. 

According to Metro, approximately 5700 homeless people live on the train system and on the Metro platforms. This has created an enormous problem for those whose only transportation option is the train system.

On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to announce a new initiative to keep the public safe while they ride the Metro system. 

“The biggest problem we have right now on the entire transit system, is we have a homeless population that are living on the train system and on the platforms. And the intersection of that, and the people that are actually using the trains for their intended purpose, for travel, is colliding and it’s colliding with deadly results,” said Sheriff Villanueva.     

To halt the grave problem and to ensure the safety of Metro passengers, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) is launching Operation Safe Travel. This will be a multi-layered approach to conduct targeted operations along the train system. The goal of the operation will be the safety of commuters by having high law enforcement visibility and the removal of homeless individuals from trains and platforms through homeless outreach and early intervention. Right now, security officers request assistance from deputies when a situation is out of their control and sometimes that intervention comes late. With early intervention, deputies can interact with an individual showing distress so that the situation does not escalate.  

Resources for the operation will include members of various units and bureaus from the LASD including the Sheriff’s Response Team, Community Oriented Policing Services, Homeless Outreach Services Team, Transportation Services Bureau Special Assignment Team, Mounted Enforcement Detail, Narcotics Bureau, Operation Safe Streets, Human Trafficking Detail and other units and bureaus from the Sheriff’s Department.  

Operation Safe Travel will begin on June 1st, 2022, and the first step of the multi-layer approach will be to remove individuals living on the transit system. LASD wants train commuters to see the difference and feel safe while using the Metro.

Train commuters and riders are encouraged to call this number to report any Metro non-emergency concerns: (213) 229-2298. 

Press Conference Video

Press Conference Material

Power Point – PDF

Los Angeles County Sheriff and other Officials Announce Crack Down on Illegal Marijuana Operations 1024 1024 SIB Staff

Los Angeles County Sheriff and other Officials Announce Crack Down on Illegal Marijuana Operations

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other Officials Announce Crack Down on Illegal Marijuana Operations

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a joint operation to take down multiple illegal marijuana grows in the Antelope Valley.

Almost a year after the most extensive drug operation in the history of the Sheriff’s Department took place, Sheriff Alex Villanueva returned to let everyone know that the operation continues to this day. In the first four months of 2022, the Marijuana Eradication Team (MET) served 116 marijuana cultivation-related search warrants. One hundred seven people were arrested, 100 were misdemeanors, and seven were felony arrests. Approximately 101,090 marijuana plants were seized, 53 firearms were confiscated, and 14,980 pounds of harvested marijuana were destroyed. 

Continuing in the spring of 2022, LASD narcotics investigators conducted aerial reconnaissance with the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. They identified 350 outdoor cultivation sites in the Antelope Valley, down from over 750 locations in 2021. This reduction in cultivation sites is directly related to increased enforcement efforts in the Antelope Valley.

MET investigators served search warrants at 80% of the identified sites and anticipate they will have 100% eradicated by the end of the fall of 2022. Most of these sites are connected to Mexican Cartels, Asian organized crime, and other organized crime groups. These illegal cultivation sites threaten the safety of communities, the environment, and wildlife. The unpermitted water wells being drilled to water the illegal crops affect underground aquifers. 

“We’ve already identified the problems that this causes here in the Antelope Valley. Downstream, illegal cannabis dispensaries in the basin are a source of extreme amounts of violence. You have robberies, you have murders that we’re handling. Other agencies have to handle in the basin, and they’re all tied to the cash trade down in these illegal dispensaries. In fact, illegal dispensaries outnumber the legal one 50 to 1. That will give you the size of the magnitude of the problem that we’re handling right here,” said Sheriff Villanueva.

“Supervisor Barger is thankful to the partners that are gathered here today for their diligent efforts to keep combatting illegal cannabis cultivation. Please know that you can continue to count on Supervisor Barger’s support,” said Helen Chavez on behalf of Supervisor Barger.   

“To any of those who are engaged in the illicit grows, I want you to know that there is a collective effort, and we’re coming after you. You can see, right here in these trailers, where your product is going to end up, and it’s not going to be on our streets. You’ve come after a very sacred thing: our community, you’ve come after our desert, and you’re stealing our water, you’re poisoning our land, and enough is enough! Said Assemblymember for CA 36th District, Tom Lackey.

In July of 2021, the LASD Narcotics investigators created the email address MarijuanaTips@lasd.org. This was done to facilitate and expedite the ability of residents to provide information directly to the detectives investigating marijuana cultivation cases. Detectives strongly encourage the public to use this email address to help eradicate this problem by the fall of 2022.

Press Conference Video