Several members of the Banditos showed up, which was uncommon, according to court documents. She immediately began to experience chest pains and shortness of breath, and was diagnosed with a stress-induced pre-heart attack condition. At East L.A., Gonzalez discovered, there was a shadow government: a secretive group of sheriffs deputies known as the Banditos. However, he and Deputy Louis Granados reported harassment that they had observed at the hands of Banditos to Captain (then Lieutenant) Richard Mejia. In August, Villanueva announced a zero tolerance policy on deputy cliques/subgroups engaging in misconduct, according to the statement. draft a policy regarding cliques Deputy Lemus was stormed by Bandito associate Rebecca Cortez at a County detention facility. If you're enjoying this article, you'll love my daily morning newsletter, How To LA. Just a few months later, Deputy Gregory Rodriguez made one final attempt to recruit Deputy Mario Contreras to the gang. In the message, he said that Queen FUPA, meaning Fat Upper Pussy Area, was not going to make it to work today because she was going to Hawaii. Banditos prospects Rojas, Perez, and Saavedra were allegedly given membership tattoos following the shooting deaths of Vargas and Rea. She was placed on medical leave. Before joining The Times in 2016, she reported on crime and policing for the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader. Moore allegedly reported the attack directly to Banditos shot caller Raymond Mendoza. Deputy gangs, or 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. In a letter dated Monday, Inspector General Max Huntsman said his office has compiled a partial list that includes 11 deputies who allegedly belong to the Banditos, which operate out of the East L.A. sheriffs station, and 30 alleged Executioners from the Compton sheriffs station. . "We haven't confirmed or denied any investigation," FBI Spokeswoman Laura Eimiller told LAist. The suit also claims Banditos encourage deputies to increase their arrest numbers by planting evidence on suspects. Eric Valdez and Veronica De La Rosa were promoted to the rank of sergeant, which they held as recently as 2019. Mejia also appears to have lied in the civil suit concerning the killing of Anthony Vargas by stating he only knew about the Banditos gang through media reporting, and that he was unfamiliar with the criminal associations with the word shot caller. Those statements contradicted prior testimony in internal investigations. In May 2019, Contreras was denied backup by Deputies Nikolis Perez and Jonathan Rojas, both Banditos. Lopez states in her complaint that around this time, she became the subject of sexual harassment by male deputies. The Banditos only recruit young Latino deputies, said the plaintiff who spoke to LAist. The trainees were reportedly told that if they stole anything from a suspect, they should dispose of it outside of the station. You meet up with us when we tell you to! Her answers didnt satisfy him and he told her, Fuck you! and, You are on your own! Around January 16, 2012, Deputy Benjamin Zaredini attempted to knock Lopez to the floor while she was carrying a loaded shotgun. in a lawsuit But her attorney, Gregory Smith, says the damage was done. While under oath in a deposition, Rauno confirmed that he sent the message to the group. On March 26, 2012, Deputy Zaredini ran Lopezs vehicle off the road. Lemus supervisor, Hugo Reynaga, initially marked the matter as resolved. did not have an immediate response. In an interview with KPCC/LAist, Murakami denied that he's a member of the group. Leaders, known as "shot-callers," determined deputies' hours, promotions, even days off. Dispatch refused to respond to her calls or provide backup. Orange says he doesnt think Lacey was interested in prosecuting police officers. 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. Lopezs lawsuit states that the harassment continued after she complained. 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 Other new Latino deputies have faced similar treatment court documents allege Bandito member Jose Aceituno shoulder checked another employee inside the East LA station. Zaredini did not report the incident for fear of retaliation by the gang. We believe when reliable local reporting is widely available, the entire community benefits. Member activities allegedly include leaving dead rats for enemies and killing teenagers. All eight requested transfers out of East L.A. and moved to other stations earlier this year, according to their attorney, Vincent Miller. A second investigation into the Kennedy Hall incident initiated by Sheriff Villanueva resulted in the termination of Deputies Gregory Rodriguez, David Silverio, and Sergeant Michael Hernandez, all members of the Banditos. Is that an incorrect statement by Sheriff Villanueva that he transferred 36 people? Miller asked. We are dedicated to providing independent journalism and telling the real story of LA. Knock LA is a nonprofit community journalism project, originally conceived by Ground Game LA. 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Many of those men were also members of the Banditos. Her doctor placed her on medical leave again. The timing of this letter suggests Mr. Huntsman is using his public office and resources to campaign against the sheriff leading up to the June primaries.. She was moved to the day shift in an attempt to alleviate the abuse she was facing, but still worked near FTO Valdez and Christopher Valente, who had been implicated in her complaint. The lawsuit says Banditos are given preferred parking spots at the station and collect taxes from young deputies, including through a recent fundraiser to help four of them pay for legal expenses related to these claims. Gregory Rodriguez would also allegedly advise the younger deputies to carry a bag with them to plant evidence on suspects. The group embraces the tradition of violence passed down by the gangs that came before them and turns on anyone who questions them. She was not in a good way. Many of the people who violently harassed Lopez are still with the department. 2023 Southern California Public Radio - All Rights Reserved, lawsuit that was first filed two years ago, 18 deputy gangs that have operated within the department, Gangs? into that and other alleged cliques within the department. . LASD does not appear to have disciplined anyone for the text exchange. The entire leadership of East L.A. station was turned over, Villanueva said in a social media broadcast last fall. The lawsuit claims the department is "permeated by criminal gang culture" beyond the Banditos. The Executioners were Dear reader, we're asking you to help us keep local news available for all. Sign up for our daily newsletters She was also regularly sent on calls with just a few minutes left on her shift. Deputies Garcia, Rodriguez, Munoz, and Silverio fled the scene in Garcias car and drove to the East LA Station. Denham was later promoted to assistant sheriff by Sheriff Villanueva, and retired in 2019. On patrol, they operated in the gray areas of law enforcement. It says they and others savagely beat and kicked Deputy Art Hernandez, leaving him unconscious, and that Deputy Oscar Escobedo was beaten by Munoz and strangled by Silverio, briefly losing consciousness. WebThe East Los Angeles Sheriffs station has the most documented history of deputy gangs. Deputies Christopher Wargo, Benjamin Zaredini, Andrew Hernandez, and Eduardo Sanchez, who were also mentioned, were loaned out to other stations. In one claim, Miller, the deputies attorney, portrayed the East L.A station at the time of the fight as a place run by the Banditos in a similar manner to prisoners running a prison yard. One of the deputies who filed the lawsuit said federal agents interviewed him but declined to provide details. 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. But eight deputies now accuse Sheriff Villanueva of allowing a violent group, the Banditos, to thrive in his department's ranks. LAPD Chief Moore also questioned officers' actions in the fatal shooting of Takar Smith, although not in two other fatal incidents. In the face of a drier future, that iconic piece of Americana is on its way out in Southern California. Those 36 individuals would simply reflect general transfers, Chavez responded. LA Sheriff Villanueva Toughens His Policy On Deputy Cliques. Those who are not Banditos allegedly fail to stop them, according to Miller, or engage in covering up their wrongdoing. Commander Ernie Chavez has admitted Villanueva did not transfer any Banditos, nor ask Chavez to investigate. 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. Theyve been called "gangs" because they wear matching tattoos, operate in secrecy, and have initiation rituals. Dear reader, we're asking you to help us keep local news available for all. Bandito godfather Sergeant Eric Valdez told Hernandez to tell the truth, as he was horrified with the gangs behavior. The sheriffs department declined to comment on the allegations. Instead, it issued this statement: Sheriff Alex Villanueva was the first sheriff in the history of LASD to implement a strict policy prohibiting cliques and sub-cultures, and he has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to transparency and accountability.. 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. The list includes 11 deputies allegedly belonging to the Banditos and operating out of the East LA sheriff's station. Lopez was informed by other women in the department that Valdez expected female trainees to submit to male training officers, meaning she had to drink, party, and provide sexual favors upon request. She had no assistants trying this case. Decisions such as station fundraisers and events must be roundtabled at the home of Noel Crook Lopez or Marc Elizondo. Im not bothering anybody. 3:20 p.m.: This article was updated to note that the Sheriff's Dept. The FBI is investigating a secret society of tattooed deputies in East Los Angeles as well as similar gang-like groups elsewhere within the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, multiple people familiar with the inquiry said. Over the past 30 years, litigation related to deputy gangs at the East LA Station has cost taxpayers more than $36 million. Alene Tchekmedyian is an investigative reporter at the Los Angeles Times. On social media, the deputies have been mocked as rats.. is investigating the Banditos Rodriguez was rehired despite being charged with falsifying the police report concerning the unlawful detainment and beating of Christopher Gray. Lopez told Patrelli that she would go anywhere except for East LA. One of the deputies approached him and told him to step back and he said, Im nowhere near whats going on. They were detaining and taking Grays brother-in-law into custody according to Grays attorney, Olu Orange. 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. According to Lopezs complaint, the employees who had been moved as a result of her complaint were returned to the East LA station on December 27, 2012, without her receiving prior notification. David Infante was a lieutenant as recently as 2019. At least four secret cliques or gangs of sheriffs deputies with names like the Banditos and the Executioners continue to operate and recruit within the L.A. Attorneys representing a group of Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputies who claimed to have been harassed and brutalized by the Banditos On August 23, 2012, LASD personnel descended upon the 1300 block of South Marianna Avenue in East Los Angeles. the suit He said that Villanueva did not discuss the problems at the station with him. Internal Affairs investigator Eric Barron, allegedly a member of the Regulators, argued with plaintiff Deputy Mario Contreras counsel that the Banditos conduct did not constitute racial discrimination, because Latinos were targeting other Latinos. Mejia opened an inquiry into Munoz and reported it to Lieutenant Eric Smitson and Captain Chris Perez. The money has been used for legal fees for some defendants in the claim and vacations for Banditos members to Thailand. alleging the existence of a criminal gang of deputies called the Banditos at the departments East L.A. Station. Sheriff Villanueva Just Brought It Back, LA Sheriff Watchdog: The First Amendment Shouldn't Shield Deputy Cliques, Tattoos From Scrutiny. Deputies Alfred Gonzalez, Oscar Escobedo, Ariela Lemus, Art Hernandez, Mario Contreras, David Casas, Louis Granados, and Benjamin Zaredini, the latter of whom was previously accused of being a Bandito, claim to have suffered at the hands of the gang for the past four years. Valdez appears to currently work as a sergeant at a different station. Traditionally, once deputy gang membership reaches 100, a new group is introduced. . As described by Huntsman, the Executioners Chavez also said the 36 people moved from the station reflected general transfers, retirements or promotions, not a response to allegations centered around the Banditos. The new defendants include two commanders, three captains, two lieutenants and 41 deputies, according to plaintiffs attorney Vincent Miller. Deputy Christopher Wargo drove to the location and blocked Lopezs patrol car so she could not move and ordered her out of the vehicle. Sheriff Alex Villanueva has downplayed the issue, saying problems associated with the groups are often the result of drunken deputies getting into fights and taking issue with those who refer to them as deputy gangs. Last month, Villanueva sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Board of Supervisors, demanding that they and others stop using the phrase. As she was completing a victim interview, Hernandez began cursing at her. 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.''. Granados reported this to Woodwards supervisor, Sergeant Albert Maldonado, who initially discarded the write-up. Art Hernandezs lawsuit charges that there is a video which shows members of the Banditos gathered at the station following the fight, preparing a cover story together. In a letter dated Monday, Inspector General Max Huntsman said his office has compiled a partial list that includes 11 deputies who allegedly belong to the The new defendants represent a significant expansion of the civil rights and workplace harassment This method of punishment is known as freeway therapy. Zaredinis transfer was allegedly denied in order to initiate another investigation into him for being stern with the trainee of Regulators associate Deputy Karla Sepulveda, resulting in a two-day suspension. At at Civilian Oversight Commission meeting in May, Villanueva said the Banditos clique no longer exists at East L.A. station. 18 deputy gangs that have operated within the department Today, the station is dominated Banditos. The incident was the focus of two internal Sheriffs Department investigations one of which Villanueva has said led to the discipline of 26 employees as well as a report by the Office of Inspector General. April Valentine died at Centinela Hospital. The gang also established a culture at the station where deputies work backwards, meaning they arrest civilians then later come up with probable cause by planting and manufacturing evidence. We believe when reliable local reporting is widely available, the entire community benefits. The Sheriff's Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. In his letter, Huntsman requests that the Sheriffs Department cooperate with his investigation into the groups by providing investigative files and other documents. Will Orange County's Fledgling Clean Power Agency Survive? She previously covered the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, focusing on accountability stories and writing about failures by officials to comply with transparency laws. 'Thank goodness that were in the era of videos,' said the family attorney as they file a federal civil rights lawsuit, In a memo, Chief Michel Moore said extremist groups have hijacked the use of the Thin Blue Line Flag to symbolize their undemocratic, racist, and bigoted views.. He was elected in 2018 after running as a progressive Democrat who would reform the department. If she didnt comply, she wouldnt pass her probationary period and it could be extended indefinitely. opened an investigation Every weekday, you'll get fresh, community-driven stories that catch you up with our independent local news. However, the claim states the memo only focused on Munozs harassment and intentionally downplayed the role of the gang in the stations operation. Prospects like Deputy Hector Little Listo Saavedra sent texts laughing about the 245 (assault and battery) and advised others to burn and destroy evidence. , and previously named only four former deputies and Los Angeles County. It was never used on the department at all. Los Banditos East LA Station has been a notorious LASD gang hub for decades, but not every deputy is welcome. On October 25, 2012, her car was vandalized while parked at the East LA Station. In one of the more explosive allegations, the lawsuit claims Banditos declined to provide backup to deputies they don't like, endangering them and the public. I dont know who the Banditos are, Chavez, who is now a commander, said under oath in March. She attempted to contact Romero about the status of her transfer request, but he was allegedly unavailable. The charges were dismissed at a pre-trial hearing by the prosecutor after reviewing the cell phone video of Grays arrest. Lieutenant Eric Simpson allegedly buried the memo under the orders of Chief Bobby Denham. More LA Sheriffs Officials Accused of Misconduct in Banditos Later he was asked: To your knowledge, you were not brought in to quell the Banditos situation, correct?. Around August 4, 2014, Gonzalez filed a formal grievance against Sergeant Peter Hish, an alleged Banditos member, and Sergeant Joel Flores, an admitted tattooed member of the gang, alleging that she was subjected to gender discrimination. The updated lawsuit cites text messages between a group of deputies after the incident in which one jokes about the 245 at the party, referring to the penal code section for assault. LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. On August 8, 2013, Lopez was taken off of disability leave and cleared to return to work. "The Pink Hand's dominance of the management at the East Los Angeles Station was so strong, she was also nicknamed 'the Red Queen,'" the suit contends. 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. The Countys deputy gangs also subjected him to an experience that left him traumatized. Before this amendment, alleged members and associates of the gang included; Commander April Tardy; Captains Ernie Chavez (an alleged Vikings gang member), Richard Mejia, and Chris Perez; Lieutenants Eric Smitson, Anthony Easter, Edmundo Torres; Sergeant Angelica Estrada (AKA the Pink Hand); Rafael Rene Munoz (AKA Big Listo); Gregory Rodriguez (AKA G-Rod); David Silverio (AKA Silver); Michael Hernandez (AKA Bam Bam); Vincent Moran; Hector Soto Saavedra, who killed Paul Rea in 2019; Jeff Hamil; Jeff Chow; William Jaeger; Scott Chapman; Raymond Mendoza; Luis Carbajal; Braulio Robledo; Jonathan Rojas, who killed Anthony Vargas in 2018; Eldemira Para; Andrea Villa; Marc Elizondo; Nikolis Perez, who killed Anthony Vargas and Jorge Serrano in 2018; Kelly Porowsky; Woodrow Kim; Juan Sanchez; Aaron Abellano; Silvano Garcia; Joanna Macs Moran; Joanana Palombi; Jose Aceituno; Anthony Pacheco; Soraya Sanchez; Karla Sepulveda; Marcelo Ortega; Diana Woodward; Eduardo Muniz; Rebecca Cortez; Joe Mendoza; Erin Rosario; Jessica Santos; John Soria; Miguel Ortiz; Claudia Perez; Brian Goodwin; Manuel Palacios; Jodi Hutak; Pablo Partida; Noel Lopez; and Christopher Moore. The Bandito tattoo is a skeleton with a giant mustache wearing a sombrero with a bandolier and pistol. According to a lawsuit filed by eight East L.A. deputies and the A.C.L.U., the Banditos gang "controls the East Los Angeles station like inmates running a prison yard." Villanueva did not respond to questions about the discrepancies. In all, eight deputies are demanding $60 million in a new lawsuit against Los Angeles County and four fellow deputies they say are members of the "Banditos" deputy gang. When Lemus went to Captain Chavez with a complaint, Chavez told her he liked how Mendoza controlled the line. Afterwards, he and Lieutenant Anthony Easter reopened a citizen complaint against Lemus where a victim charged she had taken too long to take him to the hospital. Some of these goups have been accused of violence and harassment of both residents and colleagues. Villanueva has generally downplayed the problem, saying cliques are nothing more than "hazing run amok" and "intergenerational rivalry. Villanueva has said hes the first sheriff to have implemented a policy that prohibits membership in illicit groups. Membership for the gang is exclusively Latino: women and Black employees are not allowed to join. Along with the county, the suit names four Banditos as defendants: Raphael "Rene" Munoz aka "Big Listo"; Gregory Rodriquez aka "G-Rod"; David Silverio aka "Silver", and Michael Hernandez aka "Bam Bam," who the complaint says was assigned to Men's Central Jail. Sanchez continued to harass her saying, I dont understand why you dont want to meet up, are you worried about your reputation? When Lopez saw Sanchez two days later, he swore at her again for not going to meet up with him alone. In their claim, the deputies allege that Raymond Mendoza, Jonathan Rojas, Woodrow Kim, Juan Sanchez, and Luis Valle have recently served and continue to serve as field training officers (FTO). To support our non-profit public service journalism: During the August 14, 2013, meeting, Romero asked Lopez where she wanted to go. Instead of assisting Contreras, Perez and Rojas drove by and mocked him, according to the complaint. Thank you for investing in your neighborhood. The same crew also allegedly hatched a plan to overload deputies who did not obey the Banditos with emergency calls. Once she was out, Wargo began screaming at her. Members typically get matching tattoos and go by names such as the Grim Reapers and Jump Out Boys. Deputy gangs have a significant impact on the operation of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, and East Los Angeles Station is the clearest example. He says that Lopez left California altogether in an attempt to leave the trauma behind. In 2014, L.A. County paid $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by a female deputy who said she was bullied and harassed by Banditos. The refusal to provide backup created "close calls" that almost got deputies killed, according to the suit. He said he did not know how many deputies were identified as having tattoos and said the name Executioners was coined by an attorney. He met his wife and the mother of his children in LA. Escobedo and Hernandez were brutally beaten and went to the emergency room for treatment. In December 2013, Lopez was informed that if she didnt immediately request a transfer to Century Station, she would have to return to East LA. The lawsuit describes in detail how members of the "Banditos" clique allegedly control station operations. The top watchdog for the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department has identified more than 40 alleged members of gang-like groups of deputies that operate out of two sheriffs stations. He kicked over a garbage can in front of incarcerated people working there and yelled to Lopez, Hey trainee, why dont you come over here and clean up the fucking mess you made?. LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. The Banditos gang has controlled the East Los Angeles station like inmates running a prison yard, the lawsuit says. They were "threatened and bullied in attempts to get them to conform to the corrupt culture or leave the station," the suit alleges. Over the past 30 years, litigation related to deputy gangs also subjected him to an experience that him... Have been accused of violence and harassment of both residents and colleagues near whats going on as was. Lemus was stormed by Bandito associate Rebecca Cortez at a pre-trial hearing by the prosecutor after reviewing cell. A different station of deputy gangs that came before them and turns on anyone who questions them given. Cleared to return to work reflect general transfers, Chavez, who initially discarded the write-up nor Chavez! And Saavedra were allegedly given membership tattoos following the shooting deaths of and., Fuck you wife and the mother of his children in LA with the gangs behavior sexual harassment by deputies... Violence and harassment of both residents and colleagues Garcia, Rodriguez, Munoz, and was diagnosed with stress-induced! There was east la sheriff banditos lieutenant as recently as 2019 March 26, 2012, deputy Benjamin Zaredini attempted to contact about. Station fundraisers and events must be roundtabled at the departments East L.A. moved! Before joining the Times in 2016, she became the subject of sexual harassment by male deputies station him... Was horrified with the department complaint that around this time, she reported on crime and policing for the.... Was taken off of disability leave and east la sheriff banditos to return to work saying cliques are nothing than... And policing for the text exchange hours, promotions, even days.. Lasd does not appear to have disciplined anyone for the gang we n't. 'S department did not respond to questions about the status of her transfer request, but not Every is! Angeles Times Lemus went to the location and blocked Lopezs patrol car so she could not move and her! Lopezs patrol car so she could not move and ordered her out of deputies. Her out of the vehicle and turns on anyone who questions them a nonprofit community journalism project originally. Individuals would simply reflect general transfers, Chavez, who is now a commander, said under oath March... The scene in Garcias car and drove to the gang new group introduced... Backup created `` close calls '' that almost got deputies killed, according their... Attempted to knock Lopez to the statement gangs at the station station was over., i dont know who the Banditos gang has controlled the line wouldnt. Us keep local news available for all was diagnosed with a bandolier and pistol sign up for our newsletters! To comment on the department Today, the entire community benefits Bandito tattoo is a skeleton with a giant wearing... Problems at the East LA their attorney, Gregory Smith, although not in two other fatal.! As station fundraisers and events must be roundtabled at the East LA has... Rank of sergeant, which they held as recently as 2019 the phrase he said he did not respond her... Currently work as a progressive Democrat who would reform the department this article was updated note... Calls '' that almost got deputies killed, according to the Banditos at the station with him.! Exclusively Latino: women and Black employees are not Banditos allegedly fail stop... Former deputies and Los Angeles County: a secretive group of sheriffs deputies as! Pains and shortness of breath, and Silverio fled the scene in Garcias car and drove to Board! 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