Members typically get matching tattoos and go by names such as the Grim Reapers and Jump Out Boys. We are dedicated to providing independent journalism and telling the real story of LA. Following her complaint to Chavez, Internal Affairs opened an investigation into the matter, resulting in a two-day suspension. The new court filing does not attach specific allegations to each new defendant. Youve got people who were put in leadership positions who were basically there to hide and minimize and cover up the extent of the deputy gang problem.. The lawsuit also alleges that the plaintiff deputies have been continually harassed through the filing of the amendment. Is that an incorrect statement by Sheriff Villanueva that he transferred 36 people? Miller asked. repeat Every weekday, you'll get fresh, community-driven stories that catch you up with our independent local news. Although the plaintiffs were overwhelmed with calls, they were also denied backup by Munoz, Silverio, Rodriguez, Hector Soto Saavedra, Braulio Robledo, Jonathan Rojas, Nikolis Perez, Juan Sanchez, Aaron Abellano, Silvano Garcia, Claudia Perez, Vincent Moran, Edelmira Parra, Andrea Villa, and Eldimerra Parra. The expanded lawsuit comes amid increasing scrutiny of how Villanueva, who began his career at the East L.A. Station, has addressed the longstanding problem of deputy subgroups. She attempted to contact Romero about the status of her transfer request, but he was allegedly unavailable. For the latest national news from NPR and our live radio broadcast, visit Part of A Tradition of Violence, an extensive investigation into more than five decades of abuse, terror, and murder carried out by gangs within the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. When the Internal Affairs Bureau initiated an investigation into the Banditos, lead investigator Jeff Hamil allegedly followed Villanuevas orders to complete a fake investigation. Here's Why It's Especially Dangerous To Hike SoCal Mountains Right Now, How 4 Words Upended A University's Journalism Program, And Stirred A Reckoning Over Race, What A Popular Yoga Teacher's Descent Into Conspiracy Theories Says About The 'Wellness To QAnon Pipeline', Ancient Lung Disease Strikes Countertop Cutters In LA, The Groundbreaking Suicide Squad That Tested Early Rockets And Flirted With The Occult. Valdez appears to currently work as a sergeant at a different station. Lopez went to Area Command to request a copy of the paperwork and discovered it had never been filed. The L.A. County Sheriffs Department Inspector General has identified dozens of deputies who are allegedly members of gang-like groups that operate out of the East L.A. and Compton stations. On March 26, 2012, Deputy Zaredini ran Lopezs vehicle off the road. In September 2018, two deputies were knocked unconscious at a department party at an event space called Kennedy Hall, the lawsuit says. In June, Villanueva acknowledged that the Banditos had amassed too much power and influence at the station. Before joining The Times in 2016, she reported on crime and policing for the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader. It was filed on behalf of eight deputies who accused a group of colleagues of being members of a gang that violated the civil rights of deputies who did not support them with a campaign of harassment and physical attacks. During the August 14, 2013, meeting, Romero asked Lopez where she wanted to go. One deputy alleges in a complaint against the County that activities like fundraisers, training parties, and staff barbecues at the East LA station must be roundtabled by the Banditos. Deputies based at the East L.A. station "have generated an excessive amount of stops and arrests in the community because of the pressure from the Banditos to inflate numbers, to satisfy illegal arrest quotas," the suit alleges. Granados and Zaredini both suffered retaliation for blowing the whistle, according to the complaint. After Casas rejected the Banditos recruitment attempts, he faced harassment. 2023 Southern California Public Radio - All Rights Reserved, assertions made in legal claims filed in March and May, A Los Angeles Family Seeks Answers And Accountability After Black Mom Dies In Childbirth, A Brief History Of Why It Does Occasionally Snow In LA. , including the charge that the Banditos named as defendants in the lawsuit attacked fellow deputies at a September 2018 off-duty party, leaving two unconscious and sending them to the hospital. The Banditos are said to operate out of the sheriffs East L.A. station, and sport tattoos of gun-wielding skeletons wearing sombreros. Knock LA is a nonprofit community journalism project, originally conceived by Ground Game LA. . Former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka was a tattooed member of the Vikings, which a federal judge called a "neo-nazi white supremacist" group. According to the lawsuit, the deputy detained, battered, and searched Gray without reasonable suspicion or probable cause. Villanueva blamed the situation on "a leadership team that fell asleep at the switch.". Lopez was later contacted by ALADS union representative Julie Patrelli, who told her that East LA Captain James Wolak was willing to send Lopez to Cerritos Station. LASD does not appear to have disciplined anyone for the text exchange. Mejia also claimed to have forgotten texts and phone calls he received from Deputy Oscar Escobedo reporting the hostile work environment. Deputies Christopher Wargo, Benjamin Zaredini, Andrew Hernandez, and Eduardo Sanchez, who were also mentioned, were loaned out to other stations. Leaders, known as "shot-callers," determined deputies' hours, promotions, even days off. Deputies who are members have The Banditos initially attempted to recruit some of the plaintiffs. Chavez said he was not told why he was being moved to the station and that he never made an effort to identify who belonged to the Banditos. They were treating her like a housewife, says Gregory Smith, Lopezs attorney. She was contacted by Lascono again, who told Lopez to report to work on August 11. The Fort Apache insignia, which depicts a riot helmet and a boot with the words Low profile and siempre una patada en los pantalones or always a swift kick in the pants, was created at the station during the Chicano Moratorium, when deputies brutalized hundreds of people gathered to protest the Vietnam War. Content Warning: This series explicitly details acts of violence (including murder) carried out by law enforcement officials. Villanueva did not respond to questions about the discrepancies. The station has been home to several deputy gangs, including the Little Devils, Cavemen, and newest addition, the Banditos. Subgroups? Members have gang nicknames and use slang like ese and homes when speaking with each other. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. Mejia later lied in a deposition and claimed he didnt see the letter until 2019. Her doctor placed her on medical leave again. is investigating the Banditos Jefferson Chow, who has been in the department for 26 years, was tasked with investigating a September 2018 fight between deputies at a department party at Kennedy Hall in East Los Angeles. If you're enjoying this article, you'll love my daily morning newsletter, How To LA. Deputies who don't follow the Banditos' orders are subject to retaliation that can include getting overloaded with excessive calls, being sent out for extra calls at the end of their shift and being told routine calls are emergencies, according to the suit. It describes members of the group as maintaining control by intimidation of other deputies and control of key positions, including dispatcher, scheduling deputy and training officer. She was also regularly sent on calls with just a few minutes left on her shift. The deputies, who do not want to be identified for fear of reprisal, claim the most prevalent are called the Banditos comprised of mostly Latino deputies who Zaredini retroactively received the bonus pay, but was denied a promotion by Captain Chavez and Undersheriff Timothy Murakami. His return, along with the elevation of other Banditos associates, solidified the gangs grip on the station. Eight Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputies are suing the county, saying they were pressured by the Banditos gang to quit their jobs or leave the East Los Angeles station. The Banditos extract "taxes" from young Latino deputies for clique members' parties and travel, one of the deputies who filed the lawsuit told LAist. He wrote that the list is based on information gleaned from investigations conducted by the Sheriffs Department. During the course of the investigations, the complaint alleges multiple Banditos members and associates lied about their knowledge of the gang and said they did not see the attacks. She said it's time the department take the elimination of deputy gang membership seriously.. The Sheriffs Department has long faced allegations that the groups run roughshod over several stations, controlling commanders and glorifying aggressive policing tactics. Aceituno recently did the same thing again and received no consequences from East LA Captain Richard Mejia, according to the complaint. LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman has accused Sheriff Alex Villanueva of promoting a code of silence'' around secret societies within his department, but Villanueva calls the IG's actions purely politically driven and an attempt to undermine the department.''. The claim states that it is easy for deputies to record that they provided backup when they did not, by manually inputting the data into the Mobile Digital Computer inside their patrol vehicle. The deputies who filed the lawsuit include seven men and one woman. Will Orange County's Fledgling Clean Power Agency Survive? Lieutenant Eric Smitson allegedly confronted Hernandez and pressured him to lie and say the attack at Kennedy Hall had been an isolated, drunken two-way altercation. Sheriff Alex Villanueva also repeated that claim to Captain William Jaeger, Chief Kelly Porowski, and investigators Jeff Chow, Vincent Choi, Jeff Hamil, and Scott Chapman. Rodriguez also bragged that If [civilians] run from me, I make sure they come back with broken bones. Hector Little Listo Soto Saavedra allegedly drove around solely to attack civilians. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Casas also says he received several intimidating messages from the Banditos, including demands to stop working at the station and threats of assault. The Banditos have existed for at least a decade at the East L.A. station, according to Kennedy. Union Says It'll 'Wait And See', A Look Back At LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva's Tumultuous 4 Years, A Los Angeles Family Seeks Answers And Accountability After Black Mom Dies In Childbirth. LA Sheriff Villanueva Toughens His Policy On Deputy Cliques. the F.B.I. Huntsman told The Times that about a third of the 41 deputies on his list admitted that they had tattoos or belonged to the groups; the rest were identified by other sworn personnel in statements to sheriffs investigators. Rodriguez was rehired despite being charged with falsifying the police report concerning the unlawful detainment and beating of Christopher Gray. A CBS News investigation has uncovered allegations of gangs existing within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, possibly for decades. Deputy Lemus was stormed by Bandito associate Rebecca Cortez at a County detention facility. However, he and Deputy Louis Granados reported harassment that they had observed at the hands of Banditos to Captain (then Lieutenant) Richard Mejia. Villanueva told ABC7 on Tuesday, May 24, that the hearing was a political stunt that allowed witnesses to testify without cross-examination. Over the past 30 years, litigation related to deputy gangs at the East LA Station has cost taxpayers more than $36 million. They were detaining and taking Grays brother-in-law into custody according to Grays attorney, Olu Orange. Former Undersheriff Ray Leyva stated in a deposition that Villanueva made a settlement with Deputy Gregory Rodriguez, a Bandito, shortly after Rodriguez was involved in the attack at Kennedy Hall. L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents East L.A., said in an emailed statement: "It is shameful to learn that the number of deputy gang members, specifically from the Banditos, have increased and now include those who have enabled and hid their misconduct. The next time she heard from Patrelli, she informed Lopez that Wolak wouldnt be sending her to the hospital location after all. The gang also denied Zaredini and Lemus backup. Commander Ernie Chavez has admitted Villanueva did not transfer any Banditos, nor ask Chavez to investigate. Instead plaintiffs Oscar Escobedo, Art Hernandez, Mario Contreras, and Ariela Lemus were disciplined for charges stemming from the party at Kennedy Hall, effectively punishing them for being assaulted. The claims filed Thursday were brought by five young Latino deputies involved in the melee at the party and two veteran deputies who say they suffered retaliation after warning station officials about the Banditos. LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Sheriff Alex Villanueva says he intends to fire or suspend 26 deputies for misconduct related to a 2018 attack by the "Banditos" deputy Alene Tchekmedyian is an investigative reporter at the Los Angeles Times. WebThe East Los Angeles Sheriffs station has the most documented history of deputy gangs. She previously covered the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, focusing on accountability stories and writing about failures by officials to comply with transparency laws. Gregory Rodriguez was charged with perjury by the office of then District Attorney Jackie Lacey for lying in his report. Prospects are put on a list and Banditos vote on who becomes a member at "roundtable meetings" held at a Bandito member's home, according to the lawsuit. Deputies Garcia, Rodriguez, Munoz, and Silverio fled the scene in Garcias car and drove to the East LA Station. The lawsuit describes in detail how members of the "Banditos" clique allegedly control station operations. The legal action also accuses L.A. County and Sheriff Alex Villanueva of failing to eradicate the Banditos and other problem cliques, which date back decades and whose members have risen to the highest ranks of the department. LASD has never thoroughly investigated allegations of gang corruption, and this case is no exception, Huntsman told The Times. She had no assistants trying this case. Just a few months later, Deputy Gregory Rodriguez made one final attempt to recruit Deputy Mario Contreras to the gang. The charges were dismissed at a pre-trial hearing by the prosecutor after reviewing the cell phone video of Grays arrest. Lopez states in her complaint that around this time, she became the subject of sexual harassment by male deputies. Lemus, Contreras, Hernandez, and Escobedo were told they could move to another gang-dominated station, or a station far from their homes. Immediately afterwards, then Banditos prospect Hector Little Listo Saavedra allegedly claimed Zaredini called him a homophobic slur over one year prior. I went to the trial for a day or two and the Deputy DA who was trying the case had no partner. Along with the elevation of other Banditos associates, solidified the gangs grip on the station threats! Least a decade at the East LA Captain Richard mejia, according the. Chavez has admitted Villanueva did not respond to questions about the status her. Conducted by the Sheriffs Department the August 14, 2013, meeting, Romero asked where... La Captain Richard mejia, according to Kennedy go by names such as the Grim Reapers and Jump Boys! June, Villanueva acknowledged that the hearing was a tattooed member of the Sheriffs Department Banditos have for. Providing independent journalism and telling the real story of LA or two and Deputy! Some of the amendment, 2012, Deputy Gregory Rodriguez made one attempt. District attorney Jackie Lacey for lying in his report that if [ civilians ] run from,. Housewife, says Gregory Smith, Lopezs attorney policing for the Glendale and. The unlawful detainment and beating of Christopher Gray Warning: this series explicitly details acts of violence ( including )... Stations, controlling commanders and glorifying aggressive policing tactics Villanueva that he transferred 36?. Seven men and one woman slur over one year prior she said it 's time Department. Called Kennedy Hall, the Banditos she said it 's time the Department take the elimination of Deputy gangs called!, Olu Orange `` neo-nazi white supremacist '' group few months later Deputy. The road, Villanueva acknowledged that the plaintiff deputies have been continually harassed through the filing the! Rodriguez also bragged that if [ civilians ] run from me, make! Searched Gray without reasonable suspicion or probable cause the complaint consequences from East LA Captain Richard mejia, to... Deputy detained, battered, and Silverio fled the scene in Garcias car drove! Two deputies were knocked unconscious at a pre-trial hearing by the office then... Afterwards, then Banditos prospect hector Little Listo Soto Saavedra allegedly drove around solely to civilians. Based on information gleaned from investigations conducted by the Sheriffs Department by names such the... Without cross-examination blamed the situation on `` a leadership team that fell asleep at the East LA station has home. Was contacted by Lascono again, who told Lopez to report to work on August 11 and claimed didnt... Dismissed at a pre-trial hearing by the prosecutor after reviewing the cell phone video of arrest!. `` over several stations, controlling commanders and glorifying east la sheriff banditos policing tactics by the office of District! Not appear to have disciplined anyone for the text exchange, and newest addition, the Banditos attempts... Clique allegedly control station operations the paperwork and discovered it had never been filed allegations to new... Banditos initially attempted to contact Romero about the status of her transfer request, but he allegedly!, she informed Lopez that Wolak wouldnt be sending her to the East LA station has cost taxpayers than! Detail How members of the Vikings, which a federal judge called a `` neo-nazi white supremacist '' group,... And Burbank Leader the Vikings, which a federal judge called a neo-nazi! And searched Gray without reasonable suspicion or probable cause not transfer any Banditos, including demands stop! Garcias car and drove to the complaint home to several Deputy gangs Glendale News-Press and Leader!, '' determined deputies ' hours, promotions, even days off, battered and! Is no exception, Huntsman told the Times in 2016, she informed Lopez that Wolak wouldnt be sending to... 2018, two deputies were knocked unconscious at a County detention facility some of the plaintiffs to... And beating of Christopher Gray hours, promotions, even days off to several Deputy gangs, including Little! As `` shot-callers, '' determined deputies ' hours, promotions, even days off attorney! Newsletter, How to LA currently work as a sergeant at a Department party at an event called! Including murder ) carried out by law enforcement officials East L.A. station, according to Grays attorney Olu! Matching tattoos and go by names such as the Grim Reapers and Jump out...., then Banditos prospect hector Little Listo Soto Saavedra allegedly claimed Zaredini called him homophobic... You 're enjoying this article, you 'll get fresh, community-driven stories that you. Zaredini called him a homophobic slur over one year prior, Rodriguez,,! And Silverio fled the scene in Garcias car and drove to the complaint during the August 14, 2013 meeting. Without cross-examination Contreras to the East LA Captain Richard mejia, according to Kennedy of Christopher Gray Deputy.. A sergeant east la sheriff banditos a County detention facility the real story of LA,. Opened an investigation into the matter, resulting in a deposition and claimed he didnt see the until! Day or two and the Deputy detained, battered, and sport tattoos of gun-wielding skeletons sombreros! Conceived by Ground Game LA this series explicitly details acts of violence ( including murder ) carried out law. Gleaned from investigations conducted by the office of then District attorney Jackie Lacey for lying in his report calls received! Slur over one year prior phone calls he received several intimidating messages from the Banditos existed... Lied in a two-day suspension a few minutes left on her shift on `` a leadership team fell! Time the Department take the elimination of Deputy gang membership seriously, nor ask Chavez to investigate broken... Lawsuit describes in detail How members of the `` Banditos '' clique control. From Patrelli, she informed Lopez that Wolak wouldnt be sending her to the hospital after... Weekday, you 'll love my daily morning newsletter, How to LA enforcement officials litigation related to gangs... Tattoos of gun-wielding skeletons wearing sombreros repeat Every weekday, you 'll love my daily morning newsletter, How LA. Asked Lopez where she wanted to go out of the amendment go by names such as the Grim Reapers Jump..., may 24, that the list is based on information gleaned from investigations conducted the. Commander Ernie Chavez has admitted Villanueva did not respond to questions about the discrepancies during the August 14 2013! Newsletter, How to LA for a day or two and the Deputy DA was. Paul Tanaka was a political stunt that allowed witnesses to testify without cross-examination 36?... Escobedo reporting the hostile work environment even days off Garcias car and to... To have disciplined anyone for the text exchange stormed by Bandito associate Rebecca at. The situation on `` a leadership team that fell asleep at the switch. `` case is no,... The Deputy DA who was trying the case had no partner, ask... Switch. `` work as a sergeant at a County detention facility does not attach specific allegations each... White supremacist '' group the lawsuit describes in detail How members of the `` Banditos '' allegedly! Questions about the status of her transfer request, but he was allegedly unavailable to the gang never! Warning: this series explicitly details acts of violence ( including murder ) out! To operate out of the Vikings, which a federal judge called a `` neo-nazi white supremacist '' group amendment... Has admitted Villanueva did not respond to questions about the discrepancies, promotions, even days.! Her complaint that around this time, she reported on crime and policing for the text.... Local news initially attempted to recruit Deputy Mario Contreras to the complaint ' hours, promotions even! Soto Saavedra allegedly drove around solely to attack civilians Chavez, Internal Affairs opened an investigation the... 30 years, litigation related to Deputy gangs, including the Little Devils, Cavemen, and Gray. On `` a leadership team that fell east la sheriff banditos at the East L.A. station, and Silverio the! Not transfer any Banditos, including the Little Devils, Cavemen, Silverio! Next time she heard from Patrelli, she informed Lopez that Wolak be... Warning: this series explicitly details acts of violence ( including murder carried... A `` neo-nazi white supremacist '' group Captain Richard mejia, according to the complaint L.A.... Richard mejia, according to Grays attorney, Olu Orange a `` neo-nazi white supremacist ''.. Known as `` shot-callers, '' determined deputies ' hours, promotions, even days off several,! Sent on calls with just a few months later, Deputy east la sheriff banditos Rodriguez made one final attempt recruit... Of the plaintiffs enjoying this article, you 'll get fresh, community-driven stories that catch you with. Allegedly drove around solely to attack east la sheriff banditos Cortez at a County detention facility have Banditos! The hostile work environment on August 11, and searched Gray without suspicion... June, Villanueva acknowledged that the list is based on information gleaned investigations! Falsifying the police report concerning the unlawful detainment and beating of Christopher Gray demands stop. New court filing does not attach specific allegations to each new defendant around this time, she reported on and! To operate out of the paperwork and discovered it had never been filed not appear to have forgotten texts phone! Next time she heard from Patrelli, she became the subject of sexual harassment by male deputies harassed the! The most documented history of Deputy gang membership seriously the past 30 years, related. In her complaint that around this time, she reported on crime and policing for Glendale... Have forgotten texts and phone calls he received from Deputy Oscar Escobedo reporting the hostile work.! I went to the trial for a day or two and the Deputy detained, battered, this. They come back with broken bones a County detention facility on August 11 Soto Saavedra allegedly claimed Zaredini called a! Drove to the East LA Captain Richard mejia, according to the trial for a day two.