(Court documents) With only days before trial was scheduled to start, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge on Thursday dismissed a high-profile whistleblower case that could have spilled out in court the secretive conduct of an alleged violent gang of sheriff's deputies at the Compton Station . An attorney for the boys family suggested the deputy planted the weapon. The County and the City of Los Angeles has been nicknamed the "Gang Capital of America," with an estimated 450 active gangs with a combined membership of more than 45,000. He did not say which business made the request. Deputies continued to receive their full salaries for completing little-to-no work. In the summer of 2019, deputies who were allegedly part of the Executioners were involved in two incidents that briefly caught the attention of local media. Nhi.Ink Ho Chi Minh City. It's probably pretty clear that a prisoner with a hooded executioner tattoo has murdered someone, but it's actually worse than that. (John Sweeney) BY ALENE TCHEKMEDYIANSTAFF WRITER FEB. 19, 2022 3:32 PM PT A Los Angeles County sheriff' s deputy associated with the gang-like group of deputies with matching tattoos from Compton station testied that he has attended about seven so-called inking parties since he rst saw the . This was nothing more than a sport kill and an attempt to getting into this gang. They are notorious for these gangs popping up, and they are notorious for violating citizens civil rights., Since at least 2016, a gang of deputy sheriffs called the Executioners have prowled the streets of the City of Compton. Deputies Samuel Aldama and Mizrain Orrego stated in court documents that a driveby shooting took place at 910 Spruce Street in Compton, CA, at 3:05 PM. In Compton, the Executioners ruled the station using a similar . Lucas said in a statement, I believe that government can do its part by being more timely and more transparent in sharing information that the public demands and has a right to see. He ruled Guardados death a homicide. The deputies told different versions of what happened next. I take these allegations very seriously and recently enacted a policy specifically addressing illicit groups, deputy cliques, and subgroups, he said, referring to measures he enacted in February that prohibit deputies from participating in cliques. Their attorneys said Wednesday that those allegations are false. Tattooed in Ho Chi Minh City. Please exercise self-care and check in with yourself before choosing to read. Compton Executioners. follow. The Compton Executioners is a deputy gang within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD). In 2019, for example, the county paid out $7 million to settle a wrongful death claim filed by the family of a man shot and killed by a deputy with an Executioners tattoo. compton executioners tattoo. Barragan also told Gonzalez that, there are two ways to do this, you can voluntarily not take trainees and the other way is we start documenting, which Gonzalez understood to mean that unless he accepted the demotion, Barragan would start the process of documenting Gonzalez for discipline, setting him up to be fired. Donta Taylor, it was night in a desolate, backwashed section of Compton and death sealed his lips. In June 2020, TMZ captured three Compton deputies severely beating a man. One of the deputies, Samuel Aldama, admitted under oath to having ink on his calf depicting a skull with a rifle and a military-style helmet surrounded by flames, along with the letters CPT for Compton. Deputy Art Gonzalez , who worked in LASD for five years, is the whistleblower who filed a government claim . All rights reserved. Alene Tchekmedyian is an investigative reporter at the Los Angeles Times. Austreberto Art Gonzalez started working for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department in 2007. Violence committed to further the gangs agenda is rewarded with permission to skip shifts. The proceeding was intended to be a judicial examination of the incident. Vargas would routinely make misdemeanor arrests and immediately release the person in the field to skew arrest statistics as a favor to Thatcher. LAPD 'SWAT MAFIA' ENCOURAGED DEADLY FORCE AND RETALIATION, OFFICER'S LAWSUIT CLAIMS, A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy alleges a claim in the department's Compton station called the Executioners retaliated against him for reporting misconduct. In November 2020, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors ordered an inquest into the killing of Andrs Guardado something that hadnt been done for nearly 30 years. Alegria told the deputies to leave the youth alone. LA County residents also footed the bill for attorney fees on both sides. The Compton Executioners is a deputy gang within the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD). The Sheriff's Department said the FBI is now involved"Deputy Vega does not have one single tattoo on his body, much less a deputy gang tattoo," his attorney Adam Marangell said. Andrew Haney, who worked at the body shop and witnessed the shooting, told LA Taco that Guardado got to his knees and was shot by a deputy. According to Gonzalezs complaint, Contreras bullied deputies in an attempt to raise his standing with the gang. Theres a psychological phenomenon where your life is being threatened, you either fight or you run. The depositions of those three deputies are under seal, but Locketts attorney Steven Glickman argued during a court hearing Thursday that their tattoos are numbered. In 2016, Gonzalez attempted to get time off of work in order to care for his daughter. Two weeks later, Ruiz told him he could leave patrol for an assignment in the Detective Bureau (DB) where he would be responsible for filing cases on behalf of the station at the Compton Courthouse. The Executioners have the symbol, the Jump Out Boys have the symbol, and several other people have the symbol, which is a skeleton, a symbol of death.. When Gonzalez complained to his supervisor, Lieutenant Ruiz, he told Gonzalez that he could make another complaint to IAB. Why are people treating me this way? Compton Deputy Samuel Aldama speaks at a deposition where he reveals his tattoo associated with the Executioners. Alegria walked away and said that a family unloading groceries from their car gave him water and let him call his father. Sheriff Alex Villanueva initially placed an emergency hold on Guardados autopsy report. A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy alleges a claim in the department's Compton station called the Executioners retaliated against him for reporting misconduct. Gonzalez was approached by Alcala who informed him that, [The Executioners] are saying that it was you who called IA.. [3] Contents. A custom mouse and mousepad in the regalia of the Compton Executioners sheriff's deputy gang. Romero alleges that the same image was found on a mouse pad and pencil holder at the station desk of someone belonging to the Executioners. He says the whole incident could have been avoided if the Department had followed up on the complaint filed by Locketts mother. Black and female deputies are not allowed in the clique, the claim says. But an administrative investigation found that some employees at the East L.A. station were acting as so-called shot callers, controlling scheduling and events at the station, Cmdr. The skeleton holds a rifle marked with the Roman numeral for 28, surrounded by flames. Deputies claimed Taylor had a handgun, but no weapon was found. Why are people treating me this way? complaint Alegria filed against the County. Orrego says Aldama pulled over and that as he stepped out of the vehicle, Taylor pulled out a gun and ran. Obviously, these rogue officers are not going to simply admit that they had formed an unlawful group bent on assaulting minorities, the judge wrote. Monthly arrests per deputy more than doubled and that captain was eventually promoted, he said. The deputies in pursuit shot at the vehicle, killing 65-year-old Rick Starks. He doesnt have one, nor does he plan on getting one.. When his father arrived, Alegria was arrested by another deputy who handcuffed him and placed him in the back of a patrol car. They are accused of acting against their fellow deputies and the people to better their own standing in the organization. Aldama said in a deposition that about twenty other deputies at the Compton station had the same tattoo. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Xonya Ho Chi Minh City. "Deputy Vega does not have one single tattoo on his body, much less a deputy gang tattoo," his attorney Adam Marangell said. Membership is estimated at around 80 people. The charges against Alegria were dropped at a preliminary hearing. Deputy Michael Vega had been trained by Deputy Contreras, an Executioner who harassed Gonzalez, WitnessLA reports. He alleged that one of the deputies rammed the end of a police baton into his eye socket, which caused permanent damage, and that he was kicked in the back of the head. Gonzalezs claim alleges the Compton station clique numbers about 20 deputies, while 20 more are prospects or associates. Guardado was frightened and fled behind the gate of the property and into an alley. The gang celebrates deputy shootings and threatens work slowdowns when given unpreferred assignments, according to the claim. In 2019, for example, the county paid out $7 million to settle a wrongful death claim filed by the family of a man shot and killed by a deputy with an Executioners tattoo. Although the names have changed, these groups all participate in the systematic terrorization of the communities they are sworn to serve and protect. In early 2016, he was working at the Superior Grocers in the Crenshaw area. Waldie told Juarez that he would not be intimidated by the gang. Gonzalez claimed that Deputy Miguel Vega, who shot 18-year-old Andres Guardado during a June incident that sparked protests, was a prospective member of the Executioners, a dozen or so deputies . At least eight people were hit by projectiles and injured. Los Angeles County settled with Taylor's family for $7million He doesnt trust police officers. Los Angeles, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, This fabled orchid breeder loves to chat just not about Trader Joes orchids, Randall Emmett, Ambyr Childers settle domestic violence restraining order dispute. Deputy Gang within the Los Angeles Sherrif's Department, "Rep. It said one of the gangs, The Executioners, which operated in Compton, held celebrations at bars after officers shot somebody. Haney also told LA Taco that deputies searched the body shop without a warrant and destroyed several surveillance cameras. Inking refers to the act of each newly made member of The Executioners receiving a matching tattoo indicating membership in the organization. The logo of the Executioners clique on a mousepad and pencil holder at Compton sheriffs station. About 15 to 20 deputies are Executioners, he said, and at least a handful more are prospective members who are "chasing ink." He said "it's the word out" that only two deputies are inked each year women and Black people aren't allowed. He told the Los Angeles Times that the deputies threatened to drop him off in a neighborhood controlled by a gang and tell people on the street he belonged to their rivals. Some say its to celebrate that a deputy survived, he said. axel lab publications; los angeles car accident death today. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He attended Los Angeles Trade Technical College and worked two part-time jobs. The tattoos were given by four or five different artists at different people's homes, he said. . October 21, 2021. Gonzalez says he was forced to take paid family leave. "We're not going to tolerate any clique, any gang-like group of people, subgroup the only group that is acceptable wearing tan and green are deputy sheriff's serving the community," Villanuevasaid. They were informed by a neighbor that LASD personnel had descended on their home. Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; suspect arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls, The Week in Photos: California exits pandemic emergency amid a winter landscape. The county has denied the allegations. . Vega did not appear at inquest. According to the complaint, Vega and Hernandez attempted to cover up what happened with Alegria. Details about the Compton clique were first revealed in a civil case brought by the family of Donta Taylor, a 31-year-old man who was shot and killed when deputies opened fire during a foot chase in 2016. In February 2020, Contreras was working as a Field Training Officer. According to Gonzalezs claim, he and two other deputies complained in 2017 that they were being improperly punished with undesirable assignments for not meeting illegal quotas and were told by a sergeant, Yes, you should have known that by now, according to the claim. They broke all the cameras and took the DVR, which they pulled a warrant for after the fact. As they drove, the deputies spotted a group of teenagers on bikes. They beat up other people, he said. They encircled us and basically trapped us in there, says Gonzalez. . Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. By "deputy gangs," Ometeotl appeared to refer to 'the Executioners,' a gang of deputies reportedly at the Compton station of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Lockett froze, then ran. The search was done while the couple was out. As pictured below, the Executioner's tattoo depicts a skull wearing a Nazi helmet with "CPT" on front and a rifle encircled by flames. Gonzalez feared violent retribution at the hands of the gang, so he took several days off work. The Los Angeles County sheriff's Compton patrol station "has been permeated" by a violent deputy gang called the "Executioners," according to a new legal claim. Many work at night, the claim says, and communicate through WhatsApp. Gonzalez believes that Battles was punished for their association with each other. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! He filed a suit against the County, which is pending. He was warned by another deputy to be careful. Maya Lau is a former investigative reporter for the Los Angeles Times, where she focused on rapid-response investigations into the chaos inside the USPS, problems with signature verification on ballots and challenges of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Further More Thus, it would seem impossible for a plaintiff to find tangible evidence to prove that the officers were lying when they denied the existence of their group.. Her decision essentially means the Sheriffs Departments account of Guardados death will be the official version until and unless its revisited during a trial. Vega drove the car quickly through a narrow alley but there was a car parked next to a concrete wall and he crashed the patrol vehicle, smashing Alegrias head into the case divider. Gonzalez testified that he feared for his safety from the clique. It essentially controls scheduling, the distribution of informant tips, and assignments to deputies in the station with preference shown to members of the gang as well as prospects.. The deputies drove with Alegria in the backseat without handcuffs and a seatbelt, in violation of department policy. Lieutenant John Satterfield, a spokesman for the department, told the Los Angeles Times that the Sheriffs response team secured the parking lot of a business at the request of a manager. n which members are accused of misconduct. Proponents claimed the money would be reinvested in the community and would lead to an economic revival. "This is all taxpayer money, so yes, the taxpayers should be very worried,"John Sweeney, who deposed Aldama and obtained the photo of Aldama's tattoo, told KABC-TV. Juarez was reportedly part of a reform effort put forward under former Sheriff Jim McDonnell that stationed deputies who had been involved with multiple on-duty shootings behind a desk. Compton Deputy Samuel Aldama speaks at a deposition where he reveals his tattoo associated with the Executioners. The Sheriffs Department said the FBI is now involved in an investigation of the Executioners. No gun was found. Members communicate exclusively through the encrypted message service WhatsApp. On October 25, 2019, Deputy Gonzalez was promoted to Field Training Officer. Legal Statement. She previously covered the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, focusing on accountability stories and writing about failures by officials to comply with transparency laws. The Taylor family lawsuit was settled for $7 million last year. LASD Deputy Gang tattoo design: Wearing a military helmet marked for Compton, the skeleton is armed with an AK-47 and as tattooed, strides thru Hell's flames grinning. Following the death of Guardado, several protests were held throughout the Los Angeles area. Gonzalez testified that he faced blowback earlier this year after anonymously reporting an Executioner to the Internal Affairs Bureau for assaulting a fellow deputy. Los Angeles County settled with Taylor's family for $7million The cliques were first brought to light in a civil case brought by the family of Donta Taylor, a 31-year-old man who was fatally gunned down during a foot chase in 2016. After the arrest, Locketts mother filed a complaint to the Sheriffs Department. On that basis, Lockett was arrested and taken into custody. In 2017, Gonzalez said, the Compton station captain at the time had turned to that deputy to boost arrest statistics after the captain was reprimanded for low numbers at the station. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. As Aldama and Orrego chased Taylor, they requested to broadcast over Patch that they were chasing a man with a gun, just as they did with Sheldon Lockett. Gonzalezs attorney Alan Romero said that disclosing the allegation about his client is totally irrelevant to the heroism of his coming forward to protect the public, and only serves to deter and frighten future whistleblowers from coming forward., The L.A. Times would be sending a clear message: If you want to blow the whistle on public corruption, be warned that we will dig into your history and disclose any false allegations that [were] ever made against you.. Gonzalez did not think that was a viable option. Deputies outfitted in riot gear surrounded the small group that had gathered and barricaded them in. The skeleton holds a rifle marked with the Roman numeral for 28, surrounded by flames. But often, Gonzalez said, after the party, the deputy and his partner will get inked. WitnessLA reports that the Executioners were founded by former 2000 Boy Andy Toone, who appears to no longer be working at the Compton Station. In Compton, the Executioners ruled the station using a similar structure, Gonzalez testified. Leos allegedly raised his voice and told the deputies, You should have known Do your job, Im trying to save your career. Alcala told Leos that doing his job meant completing service calls for the community. L.A. County settled a lawsuit brought by Taylors family for $7 million. The deputy didnt actually see a gun, but his suspect could turn out to be armed and an arrest or recovered firearm could pad his reputation. Members become inked as Executioners after executing members of the public, or otherwise committing acts of violence in furtherance of the gang.. Legal Statement. [3], Members of the Executioners are deputies operating out of the Compton station of the LASD. 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He requested another week off work out of fear. pic.twitter.com/Mj4FZcUsRL, Gonzalez attended a press conference organized by the National Lawyers Guild in response to the treatment of protesters on September 11, 2020. Aldama was transferred to another station, and appears to be working as a deputy today. The County alleges that the victim positively identified Lockett as the shooter. It was so obvious that, you know, we all noticed that.. [4] These deputies share a tattoo, which features a skeleton with an assault rifle and a Nazi-style helmet. His first trainee was Deputy David Battles, who completed his training period with Gonzalez in January 2020. Juarez took this as an opportunity to control the operation of the station. Retired Court of Appeals Judge Candace Cooper found that she felt it wasnt necessary to call more witnesses and obtain more evidence, concluding the matter. If you have an emergency or you want to make sure that every deputy hears your conversation with the dispatcher, you ask for the patch and they patch you into every deputy on duty in Compton. Gonzalezs statements were introduced in an excessive-force lawsuit filed against the Sheriffs Department by Sheldon Lockett. He filed a legal claim against the county in June alleging retaliation. WitnessLA reports that the Executioners were founded by former 2000 Boy Andy Toone, who appears to no longer be working at the Compton Station. UPDATE: came to speak with the manager. I think they wanted to sweep it under the rug and didnt want there to be political fallout from Sheriff McDonell, who was running for office re-election, says Sweeney. After Gonzalez made his report, graffiti appeared at the station calling him a rat. McDonnell went on to lose his bid for re-election to current Sheriff Alex Villanueva, who has a history with several gang affiliated deputies. Elisa and Cristobal Guardado fled violence in El Salvador stemming from the Salvadoran Civil War and raised a family in the city. Now, Locketts attorneys are citing Gonzalezs claim in a court filing seeking to reopen discovery, depose several deputies again and examine their WhatsApp accounts. Members each have a tattoo of a skeleton wearing a Nazi helmet emblazoned with the letters CPT. Los Angeles County Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas defied Villanuevas order and released the report in July 2020. Lockett did not own a car, so he took the bus south to Hawthorne. 20. They knew that a gang existed. Vega accelerated towards them as they scattered. somerset basketball roster; volkswagen do brasil case study The caption of the photo read, Some people worked Compton, others just claimed they did!!!. The claim says the group sporting tattoos of a skull with Nazi imagery and an AK-47 celebrates deputy shootings and the induction of new members with inking parties.. A gang of sheriff's deputies called the "Executioners, has "permeated" a Los AngelesCounty Sheriff's Department patrol station and has engaged in civil rights abuses against the public, according to a claim filed with county officials last week. The FBI, however, has been interviewing deputies over the last year about whether clique members are actively violating civil rights of the public with false reports or violence. Orrego and Aldama came rolling up like cowboys at a high rate of speed, threw their doors open before the car stopped, which is customary for these deputies out there to intimidate, pointing guns at them, Sweeney says. Aldama admitted under oath to having a tattoo on his calf depicting a skull with a rifle and a military-style helmet emerging from flames. 11 Jun 2022. Gonzalez made what he believed to be a confidential report to the IAB. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has embraced deputy gang culture for the past 50 years. Retaliation against Gonzalez, the claim states, forced him to step down from his field training officer position. View all. The Banditos are linked to the East Los Angeles station, while the Executioners, according to Huntsman's letter, are "a deputy gang based out of the Sheriff's Department's Compton Station."