At the time, then-interim Sheriff John Scott announced he would share the results of an investigation into claims of bullying by the Banditos, yet the probe has Lopez told Patrelli that she would go anywhere except for East LA. Current leaders include Rafael Rene Munoz AKA Big Listo, Gregory G-Rod Rodriguez, David Silver Silverio, Michael Bam Bam Hernandez, Silvano Cholo Garcia, Vincent Moran, and Raymond Mendoza, who call themselves shot callers. Granados and Zaredini both suffered retaliation for blowing the whistle, according to the complaint. Deputies Alfred Gonzalez, Oscar Escobedo, Ariela Lemus, Art Hernandez, Mario Contreras, David Casas, Louis Granados, and Benjamin Zaredini filed an internal complaint with Los Angeles County in March of 2019. She left the department. Hernandez told investigators the truth. We are dedicated to providing independent journalism and telling the real story of LA. When she asked Wargo what was going on, she was told that she was a trainee and to mind her business. 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. There are 30 alleged members of the Executioners operating from the Compton station. 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. . The lawsuit contends that even with the new leadership, the Banditos still effectively run the East L.A. station and that it remains a hostile workplace. It asserts that the special unit members "showed up just in time to kill the perpetrator before he could murder their fellow deputy.". On August 8, 2013, Lopez was taken off of disability leave and cleared to return to work. She's Granados reported this to Woodwards supervisor, Sergeant Albert Maldonado, who initially discarded the write-up. She was contacted by Lascono again, who told Lopez to report to work on August 11. Escobedo was unable to work for a week afterwards, according to the suit. 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. LASD does not appear to have disciplined anyone for the text exchange. In a conversation with LAist, the new sheriff acknowledges that, as an outsider, "I have my work cut out for me" in winning the support of the department's rank-and-file. Deputy gang members, or those seeking membership, have shot at least 19 County residents to death in that time. "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. Took his hands and bent them up so far behind his back that you could see his fingers behind his ears and he tore his shoulder. The report falsely described Gray as trying to open the door of the patrol vehicle. 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. The new defendants include two commanders, three captains, two lieutenants and 41 deputies, according to plaintiffs attorney Vincent Miller. As described by Huntsman, the Executioners Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Deputy cliques in L.A. 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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." Attorneys representing a group of Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputies who claimed to have been harassed and brutalized by the Banditos deputy gang at the East Los Angeles Station have filed a fifth amended complaint naming 17 additional associates of the group. Anthony Lowe was shot and killed by Huntington Park police on Jan. 26. This is America, Orange recounts. Deputy Lemus was stormed by Bandito associate Rebecca Cortez at a County detention facility. County lawyers instructed the deputy not to answer questions about whether he has the Executioners tattoo, which is a skull with a rifle and a military-style helmet, surrounded by flames. But her attorney, Gregory Smith, says the damage was done. Privacy Policy. Your tax-deductible financial support keeps our stories free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. She had no assistants trying this case. The refusal to provide backup created "close calls" that almost got deputies killed, according to the suit. 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. The Banditos only recruit young Latino deputies, said the plaintiff who spoke to LAist. Deputy Christopher Moore, who was on-duty and assigned to the party, stood by and watched the assault. Chavez said that the two men had been playing a game of chicken, and no investigation appears to have followed. Despite ongoing litigation related to the Banditos, the gang appears confident that they can operate with impunity, and multiply. Later he was asked: To your knowledge, you were not brought in to quell the Banditos situation, correct?. Inspector General Max Huntsman said that the investigation almost completely ignored evidence of the involvement of the Banditos which led to the assaultive conduct at Kennedy Hall, and that the investigation into the Banditos was a cover up by the sheriff and LASD. In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, the Sheriffs Department said Huntsmans letter failed to provide any actual evidence or new information and noted that the agency has provided the inspector general with all legally obtainable information requested., This is another irresponsible attempt from Mr. Huntsman to discredit the organization, through omission and misrepresentation, the department said. Gang culture is reinforced by older employees who reward newer recruits who subscribe to it. A number of the allegations in Its author Professor Sean Kennedy said at least seven remain active. The complaint alleges that the Banditos have controlled scheduling, assignments, and promotions at the East Los Angeles Station until relatively recently. 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. In this latest filing, the plaintiffs have identified 17 additional alleged associates of the Banditos by name: Undersheriff Timothy Murakami (a tattooed Caveman), Sergeant Hugo Reynaga, Edmundo Torres, Hugo Ramos, Mario Castro, Manny Navarro, Nikki Hanamaki, Vincent Choi, James Wolack, Chris Blasnek, Albert Maldonado, Leo Sanchez, Elizabeth Aguilera, Luis Valle, Bobby Denham, and Anthony Rivera. LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio, a member-supported public media network. It says this has happened "dozens" of times over the last three years. Commander Ernie Chavez has admitted Villanueva did not transfer any Banditos, nor ask Chavez to investigate. Sgt. 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. 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.''. Lieutenant David Infante, who previously worked at the East LA station and knew about the complaint, made it known to Lopezs supervising Sergeant, Veronica De La Rosa, that he didnt want Lopez at Century Station. A Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy associated with a gang-like group of deputies with matching tattoos testified that he has attended about seven inking parties.. Munoz, Eldemira Parra, Andrea Villa, and Claudia Perez controlled the calls through dispatch, and would send Granados and other plaintiffs out at the end of their shifts, forcing them to stay past their work time. If you're enjoying this article, you'll love my daily morning newsletter, How To LA. We are dedicated to providing independent journalism and telling the real story of LA. And as I understand it, she really would have liked to have all of those things.. , and previously named only four former deputies and Los Angeles County. The Top 5 newsletter catches you up with LAs top 5 stories in just 3 minutes. Bob Gregory, 62, went missing the same day as Sands. Hernandez pointed at her body and turned to another male deputy saying, Look at these! and, What do you think, bro? He said to Lopez, What are you going to do about it? Patrelli instead scheduled a meeting with Lopez and Division Commander Henry Romero, who had been her captain at East LA. The money has been used for legal fees for some defendants in the claim and vacations for Banditos members to Thailand. . But Villanueva limited the investigation into the attack at the party, saying only the actions of individual deputies would be examined -- not the Banditos as a whole. Banditos groom young deputies they are considering for membership in the group, assigning them mentors, the deputy said. Today, the station is dominated Banditos. The Executioners were One of the deputies who filed the lawsuit said federal agents interviewed him but declined to provide details. Banditos prospects Rojas, Perez, and Saavedra were allegedly given membership tattoos following the shooting deaths of Vargas and Rea. It was never used on the department at all. But eight deputies now accuse Sheriff Villanueva of allowing a violent group, the Banditos, to thrive in his department's ranks. The inspector generals new figures add to a growing body of information about the secretive groups, which have existed in the Sheriffs Department for decades. 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. Patrelli contacted her again and told her that she would actually be going to the County Services Bureau USC Hospital location. 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. More LA Sheriffs Officials Accused of Misconduct in Banditos Gonzalez was transferred to the Norwalk Station, but no action was taken against the sergeants. Lemus supervisor, Hugo Reynaga, initially marked the matter as resolved. She also told Lopez she would contact her on August 11 with a work schedule, which Lopez received. 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? WebThe East Los Angeles Sheriffs station has the most documented history of deputy gangs. Lopez was nervous about returning to a hostile environment, so she contacted the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) who told her they could not help. Your tax-deductible financial support keeps our stories free to read, instead of hidden behind paywalls. Did you investigate the Banditos? asked Vincent Miller, an attorney representing the eight deputies, according to a transcript of the deposition excerpts. the suit When the Internal Affairs Bureau initiated an investigation into the Banditos, lead investigator Jeff Hamil allegedly followed Villanuevas orders to complete a fake investigation. Alene Tchekmedyian is an investigative reporter at the Los Angeles Times. 4:30 p.m.: This article was updated to include Sheriff Villanueva's June comments about the Banditos. During her first two weeks of training, Valdez assigned Lopez to work a shift with Deputy Christopher Wargo, who was a prospect or puppy of the Banditos. To make sure you get our coverage: The lawsuit alleges Sgt. For the latest national news from NPR and our live radio broadcast, visit While Deputy Granados encountered other deputies firing guns at a suspect and pulled over his vehicle, he was written up for misconduct by Diana Woodward. Deputy Louis Granados claims that his number of calls went up in 2018 after he blew the whistle on the Banditos with Deputy Zaredini. The new court filing does not attach specific allegations to each new defendant. Youve got people who rigged internal affairs bureau investigations, Miller told LAist. She contacted the Back to Work Unit but was told they could not help her, and advised her to contact the station Director. Zaredinis partner worked 12-14 hour shifts because he feared what would happen to Zaredini alone. Deputies who are members have adopted gang expressions, the lawsuit says. Deputy Joshua Smilor, a Banditos associate, told her that she needed to call Valdez, Daddy and that she needed to submit to the program of his kids. Deputy Ortega informed her that there were were explicit photos of other women in the department having oral sex with Banditos members working as training officers. No one had any knowledge of that name, Villanueva said. Soon afterwards, Zaredini was removed as an FTO and lost his bonus pay. In reality, Villanueva sent notices to terminate Banditos Rafael Munoz, Gregory Rodriguez, and David Silverio, as well as discipline plaintiff deputies in what appears to be retaliation. Donate Now Gonzalez developed high blood pressure and a heart condition which led to her removal from the field. 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. GET THE BEST OF LAIST IN YOUR INBOXSign up for our daily newsletter to receive the latest on local politics, food, culture and the absurdities of L.A. life. In his letter, Huntsman requests that the Sheriffs Department cooperate with his investigation into the groups by providing investigative files and other documents. They have been broken up in accordance to the law, and constitutionally permissibly, he said. Excerpts of Chavezs testimony were made public as part of a lawsuit brought by eight deputies who say they were routinely harassed by a gang of predominantly Latino deputies who have matching tattoos of a skeleton outfitted with a sombrero, bandolier and pistol. During the August 14, 2013, meeting, Romero asked Lopez where she wanted to go. . The sheriffs department declined to comment on the allegations. Valdez appears to currently work as a sergeant at a different station. 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. Rosa Gonzalez became the latest target of the Banditos abuses in December 2011, shortly after she arrived at the East LA Station. opened an investigation When Contreras reported this to Captain Mejia, he instead suggested that Contreras ride with Deputy Juan Sanchez instead, who is allegedly affiliated with a street gang, as well as being an inked Banditos member. We had a captain that was gracious enough to take her in [his unit] and she just hid, says Gonzalezs attorney, Gregory Smith. 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. She was placed on medical leave. At the end of the call he followed Lopez to her car. Deputy Lemus was overloaded with calls by the alleged morning Banditos shot caller, Raymond Mendoza. He wrote that the list is based on information gleaned from investigations conducted by the Sheriffs Department. While under oath in a deposition, Rauno confirmed that he sent the message to the group. 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. 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. Every weekday, you'll get fresh, community-driven stories that catch you up with our independent local news. They use word on the yard, a phrase used to explain what is being said among people in prison, according to the lawsuit. 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. 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. Patrelli refused to accompany Lopez to the meeting or send any other union representation saying, You should be grateful that Commander Romero is willing to meet with you!. The pair demanded she immediately resign from her mentoring position, and she was removed the following day. The charges were dismissed at a pre-trial hearing by the prosecutor after reviewing the cell phone video of Grays arrest. The current undersheriff, Tim Murakami, has a "Cavemen" tattoo, according to the lawsuit. To support our non-profit public service journalism: 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. Villanueva told ABC7 on Tuesday, May 24, that the hearing was a political stunt that allowed witnesses to testify without cross-examination. The Sheriffs wife, a retired LASD employee, allegedly put out messages telling deputy gang members to keep their heads up. Huntsman did not name the deputies and said his office has identified additional possible members from other sources. And any time youre a Black man, somebody calling you a monkey, in my book, thats racism, Orange tells Knock LA. The Banditos are said to operate out of the sheriffs East L.A. station, and sport tattoos of gun-wielding skeletons wearing sombreros. 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. Terms of Use Her case settled for $1 million in 2019. Lopez filed a complaint against LA County in 2014 and eventually settled for $1.5 million, funded by taxpayers. The gang also denied Zaredini and Lemus backup. Lopez attempted to come back to work just over a month later, but was met with the same harassment as before. Contreras and the other plaintiffs requested transfers out of the station, which were denied without explanation for weeks. LAist.com/radio. The next day, eggs were thrown at her car and someone wrote fuck you on the rear window. She said it's time the department take the elimination of deputy gang membership seriously.. The sheriff said previously that he cracked down on the Banditos presence in East Los Angeles as one of his first acts upon being sworn in. Knock LA is a nonprofit community journalism project, originally conceived by Ground Game LA. In December 2018, Banditos "secretly removed the bullets from Deputy Zaredini's shotgun," the lawsuit claims. Before joining The Times in 2016, she reported on crime and policing for the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader. 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. His body was recovered near Mount Islip. "Pretty much they were calling the shots, they were dictating the decisions of the station and that has a very bad outcome obviously," he said. Mejia later lied in a deposition and claimed he didnt see the letter until 2019. 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. 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 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. Los Angeles Countys top watchdog says in a report released Monday that substantial evidence exists that a secretive group of tattooed deputies at the East L.A. and Rodriguez was rehired despite being charged with falsifying the police report concerning the unlawful detainment and beating of Christopher Gray. On that shift Lopez saw Wargo purchase reports, meaning that Wargo would write arrest reports for other deputies as part of initiation into the gang. The federal probe follows allegations of beatings and harassment by members of the Banditos, a group of deputies assigned to the Sheriffs Departments East L.A. station who brand themselves with matching tattoos of a skeleton outfitted with a sombrero, bandolier and pistol. Several members of the Banditos showed up, which was uncommon, according to court documents. It forbids department personnel from joining "any group which promotes conduct that violates the rights of employees or members of the public or otherwise encourages conduct that is contrary to department policy.". At that point, Lopez informed Barsh about the harassment she had been subjected to by the Banditos. The Banditos are a group of nearly 100 deputies who wear matching tattoos of a skeleton with a thick mustache, sombrero, pistol and bandolier, according to the suit. Denham was later promoted to assistant sheriff by Sheriff Villanueva, and retired in 2019. All eight requested transfers out of East L.A. and moved to other stations earlier this year, according to their attorney, Vincent Miller. A report by Loyola Law School found Escobedo and Hernandez were treated at a local hospital, Escobedo for "severe neck pain and strain, dizziness, and nausea due to lack of oxygen from being choked out," and Hernandez for a concussion and cuts that required sutures, the complaint alleges. Banditos meetings are held at the home of Deputy Noel Crook Lopez. 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 informed her that she would be put on loan to Century Station pending the approval of her transfer, but refused to give her a copy of the paperwork. The Banditos control the East Los Angeles station "like inmates running a prison yard," the lawsuit alleges. ", Villanueva did Its just smoke and mirrors, its just a pretend at reform.. Hernandezs former FTO Marcelo Reaper Ortega and Contreras former FTO Elizondo also told him not to speak about what had happened. The station has been home to several deputy gangs, including the Little Devils, Cavemen, and newest addition, the Banditos. Heres everything you need to know about coyotes in Los Angeles County. 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. The list includes 11 deputies allegedly belonging to the Banditos and operating out of the East LA sheriff's station. 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. 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. On October 25, 2012, her car was vandalized while parked at the East LA Station. At East L.A., Gonzalez discovered, there was a shadow government: a secretive group of sheriffs deputies known as the Banditos. On March 26, 2012, Deputy Zaredini ran Lopezs vehicle off the road. into that and other alleged cliques within the department. He met his wife and the mother of his children 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. Other new Latino deputies have faced similar treatment court documents allege Bandito member Jose Aceituno shoulder checked another employee inside the East LA station. Villanueva has said hes the first sheriff to have implemented a policy that prohibits membership in illicit groups. If you're enjoying this article, you'll love my daily morning newsletter, How To LA. 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. For the latest national news from NPR and our live radio broadcast, visit Huntsman also said LASD ignored evidence that exists to support the conclusion that the Banditos are a gang-like clique and their influence has resulted in favoritism, sexism, racism, and violence ICIB did not want to delve into the Banditos involvement.. In response to questions from The Times earlier this month, Villanueva said the Sheriffs Departments investigation into the Compton Executioners led to two terminations and 13 transfers out of the station. It says about 30 members and prospects work at the East L.A. station, adding the others work elsewhere or have retired. The Banditos And Other LA Sheriff's Deputy Groups Are Now Being Investigated By The FBI, East LA Sheriff's Deputies File Suit Claiming Harassment, Violence By 'Banditos' Clique, Authorities ID Man Arrested In Killing Of LA Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell As Husband Of Housekeeper, Huntington Park Police Shot, Killed Man Who Had Both Legs Amputated: What We Know So Far, LAPD Chief Bans Thin Blue Line Flag From Police Station Lobbies, Patrol Vehicles, And Uniforms, Mayor And City Council Members Express Concerns After LAPD Releases Footage Of Fatal Shootings, New LA Sheriff Says He Thinks Deputies Are Ready For A Stabilizer. Zaredini retroactively received the bonus pay, but was denied a promotion by Captain Chavez and Undersheriff Timothy Murakami. Before joining The Times in 2016, she reported on crime and policing for the Glendale News-Press and Burbank Leader. Mismanagement, Sloppy Hiring Practices, Lack Of Transparency. The Banditos initially attempted to recruit some of the plaintiffs. 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. Villanueva has generally downplayed the problem, saying cliques are nothing more than "hazing run amok" and "intergenerational rivalry. Forty-seven Los Angeles County Sheriffs officials were added Monday as named defendants The Sheriffs Department cited pending litigation and declined to comment other than to say Villanueva has done more to address organizational culture issues than all of his predecessors combined.. Once she was out, Wargo began screaming at her. 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