On Friday morning, US Attorney Andre Birotte announced that two more members of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department have been indicted.
Deputies Joey Aguiar and Mariano Ramirez were charged in relation to a reported beating incident that occurred in February 2009. Both Aguiar and Rameriz were, at the time, working the 3000 floor of LA County’s Men’s Central Jail.
According to the indictment, the “victim-inmate” —ID’d with the initials BP—was awaiting a hearing on a parole violation when the encounter with the two deputies in question occurred. BP was reportedly chained at his waist with his hands cuffed to the chain, when the deputies allegedly pepper-sprayed, struck and kicked the man. Then later, according to federal allegations, the two accused the inmate of assaulting them, describing in their report an elaborate attack.
However, unlike many alleged beatings of inmates by deputies, this incident was witnessed by one of the jail chaplains assigned to MCJ. The encounter on which the federal charges are based, first came to light in the course of the ACLU’s 2011 report on brutality by deputies against inmates in the LA County jail system.
These newest charges naming the two deputies brings the total to 20 LASD department members who have been indicted as part of the ongoing federal investigation into brutality and corruption inside the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
No one expects the indictments to end here.
Here’s the video of Chaplain Paulino Juarez describing the 2009 beating he witnessed.
We’ll have more on the new federal charges, plus some thoughts on what they mean, Sunday night. (I originally said Friday night, but we’ll have a fuller report on Sunday.)
In the meantime, check our pals at ABC-7. and Richard Winton at the LA Times.
More low hanging fruit. Why was this allowed to go on in there? Who helped IA justify it? Why didn’t the DA not file if this was so easy for the Feds to see?!?
Way to go Feds…. Not. It’s like putting a band aide on a gun shot wound.
Treat the real cause of the symptoms and get the real cancer. Or, we can let them all run for Sheriff and raise large sums of money. God bless America.
The people who are supposed to police the police have no courage to hunt the big game.
What about the BIG FISH?
They must file on the executives. It was a conspiracy to violate the civil rights of the inmates. These were examples of operating in the Grey area which Tanaka statred and Baca allowed.
Have patience my friends. The Feds, who we all know work much slower than we, are simply connecting the dots all the way to the top. Remember, they took five years to put Corona’s case together. It’s the nature of their beast. Just remember, Baca didn’t decide to “retire on his terms,” he knows what is coming. It is not if, it is when, because now they are 20 and it is just the tip of the iceberg. They have some very big tuna on their lines regarding the inmate Anthony Brown case and their knees are knocking like castanets. Just wait until the Feds start indicting on all of the actual “corruption” cases they are and have been investigating. All in time, my friends. All in time.
Hopefully, these suitcase carrying SIMPLETONS will bring us a Valentine’s Day massacre feast with a heaping helping of Gardena Sushi and Walnut Wasabi…….Paul and Larry served themselves up on a silver platter and the typical bone-headed FEDS are leaning hard on a couple of low level boots with a BAD ASS 20 year sentence for a simple beat down……talk about OVERKILL..(even if everything is true)…
Deputies Aguiar and Ramirez: I know that the two of you did exactly what you were trained to do by incompetent and cowardly TO’s. However, you are still responsible for your actions. You made the bad choices. But, remember it was Paul Myron, William Stonich, Larry Waldie (in your specific case)and Paul Tanaka that created and ensured that this type of criminal behavior was not only endorsed but enforced at all levels of the organization. Of course don’t forget Baca!
Don’t expect any of these people named above to come forward and man up on your behalf. A brave man dies only once and a coward dies a thousand times.
Remember that the Jail Commission held Tanaka directly responsible for the current state of affairs on LASD. So, cooperate with the FEDS and go after the execs that threw you both and your families to the wolves.
Who was it that approved the bogus investigation? Where was OIR? Why and who allowed the statue to run out? These guys are as just as liable as you two. Why didn’t the DA, at least, follow up on the investigation? Who was the DA? Yes, Steve Cooley who is now endorsing and working for McDonnell (aka McBaca) to be sheriff! Cooley has special interest to ensure that his brand of guy becomes sheriff in order to cover his own ineptitude.
Does anybody know if the federal correctional facilities have a “soft tank” like the county jail does? Is that where they would/should put Paul?
All that “soft” vs. general population decision is based on physical appearance and stature, right? Just wondering…
This mess is crazy. I can’t believe Undersheriff Tanaka would still try and run after allowing this mess. I work MCJ and Tanaka is trying to arrange for deputies to be transported from a restaurant in Gardena to the ALADS debates. Alot of people saying “YES I’ll be there” but rolling there eyes after his people leave. I used to think Tanaka was standing behind us, but he laid us all out and deputies and HIS “friends” going to jail while he claims “I dont’t know.” He talks big but acts small. Get me out of this mess.
Who would you believe. …..The chaplain or the deputies?
It’s going to get interesting. Very interesting. How long do you think those indicted in the FBI snitch caper are going to sit still and take the rap once they realize Tanaka and Baca are going with the “I did not order any of the Lt’s. Sgts. or deps. to hide him from the Feds.” defense. It’s just a matter of time. ABC 7 News has enough info. in their brief investigation, coupled with their interviews of Baca and Tanaka pointing the finger at each other to indict both of them.
The Feds. are most likely simply waiting for enough evidence to have an airtight case. They might have trouble with some of the other Byzantine investigations concerning corruption, but the the “hide the snitch” caper is a case a 2nd week ADA could put together.
Then we have lol who wants to bring up how much money Tanaka has raised. I’ve got a couple news flashes for him. First, Tanaka was the Undersheriff for how long and the Mayor of Gardena for how long? Hey genius, if he hasn’t raised 5 times more than any other candidate he should be ashamed of himself. This isn’t his first rodeo at this stuff. He’s been making connections for years. Second, no matter how much money he raises or how many endorsements he secures from other sheriffs, city council people or unions, the Feds. are not going to back off because they are impressed with his fundraising ability and endorsements. Anybody telling themselves that Tanaka is going to come out of this unscathed is kidding themselves because they want to dwell on what might have been instead of what the reality is. Come on man, the reality is that not only is Tanaka going to be shredded in the media, he is going to be indicted. Those storms clouds gathering aren’t going to just drop a little sprinkle that can be weathered with an umbrella. There’s a serious downpour headed his way.
#8 The mask has come off of PT. This is my first post, but I feel the time is right. Several of you have doubted what several of us “Old Timers” have been saying all along. Sometimes the “Old Timers” are resistive to change, but often it is like the story of the young bull and the old bull. Many of us have been through this more than once. I too, when I was young, often looked at the senior members of the Department as people that time had passed by. In some areas it has. Time moves on. However, often times, once the event had played out, I saw they called it. They made these predictions based on experience and wisdom that only time can give.
Everyone must make there own decisions, but often that decision is made without looking at all of the “evidence” and dismissing others as dinosaurs or uneducated as to the facts. Please, in the future, when confronted with significant decisions, and who to hitch your wagon to, weigh all the evidence before you act. Who knows, it may save your a trip to the grand jury or even the federal penitentiary.
Good luck to all the candidates now that the healing has finally begun. Again, many of us have seen this before. It is painful and takes time, but the Department will be better for it.
J.London, is that two more notches for the Whistleblower? It took you a while but you finally came around. I’m going to quote your questions and your conclusion prior to proving you and answer. “Who was it that approved the bogus investigation? Why and who allowed the statue to run out? These guys are as just as liable as you two.” Well Mr. London, let me tell you who the Commander in the custody division was in 2009 when this incident took place, none other than YOUR candidate, Robert Olmstead. So perhaps you, Searchlight, LATBG, and all the other Whistleblower song leaders can answer the questions. Why would a commander approve a use of force that is seriously being called into question by a chaplain? And after the ICIB investigation was opened why did he allow the statute to run out? Was it that he was too busy cajoling the female masseuse that he approved to work at MCJ? Oops, was I not supposed to go there? I’m sure she was a nice girl. So now is the time for you to do some self introspection and see the scam for what it is. The man blew the whistle to save his own ass, period. And then he saw an opportunity to run for Sheriff even though he lacks the intestinal fortitude to hold the position. I don’t even know ho he sleeps. This time please spare me all the colorful descriptions, “outrageous, unbelievable, bombastic, hyperbole, incredible, etc.” Just answer the questions. I will now make a public plea to ALADS, specifically Armando Macias. Armando, let the candidates throw down in the forum. Don’t sell out. I know you’ve established rules of engagement, but I know of at least one candidate going there to take some names. And out of fairness to Mr. Olmestead, please ensure there are rules for the attendees as well. Word on the yard at MCJ and the south stations is the deputies plan to boo his every word. Ask Peyton Manning how that works out. Normally when I go to the circus I don’t care what the clown has to say, but in Olmestead’s case I can’t wait..!!!!
The kicker is……..what if Tanaka is not indicted? The truth is that he fell into that good ol’ boy club…and unless the Feds make a move, Paul could be your new daddy. LOL
Funny how floyd hayhurst, at alads,….spoke and wrote bad article’s on officers of public safety. Yeah…they had a few bad apples, but none were arrested. See who gets the last laugh when they sue the sheriff’s department. So much for qualifications to be a deputy.
A Deputy got his ass handed to him at 142 on Friday. The deputy went to the hospital. From what I was told, the inmate didn’t. A CARPING custody assistant had his orbital fractured by an inmate at MCJ. The inmate pummeled the CA and then proned himself out to avoid getting touched up when the cavalry arrived. Nobody, not ALADS, not the media, not the candidates, and certainly not the feds give a shit about this stuff.
And then we see the feds going after the low hanging fruit, the easy pickings, just Jack Dawson noted. I think the feds are acting like cowards. They have plenty of time to change my mind, but I’m growing skeptical.
Do we need to smack down deputies handing out beatings to correct inmate attitude? Yes, we do. But we can do that ourselves with the right leadership, we don’t need the feds.
What we NEED the feds for is cutting the head off of a poisonous snake, and I’ll elaborate why.
For years deputies have been on their own, leaderless and without example to follow other than each other, because those at the top were too busy looking out for themselves, sending vests to Cambodia in shady deals, violating customs laws. Courting the Council on Islamic Relations. Accepting money from now deported Chinese spies. Taking money from dirty donors. Giving promotions for mayoral campaign contributions. Covering up executive’s DUIs, affairs, illegitimate kids, tax fraud, nepotism, cronyism and corruption.
There was and is no leadership. So deputies ran amok. But we can fix that. What we can’t fix, and what we need the feds to fu*king do already, is indict the (former) Sheriff, (former) Undersheriff and the current A/Sheriff’s, Chiefs and Commanders that let this shit go down while they politicked and swindled. THAT’s what we need the feds for, and they need to step the F*ck up.
Re: #9, the Grand Jury would do well to interview the entire roster of chaplains and volunteers. Chaplains are around so much that deputies don’t notice them anymore. You’d probably be surprised by what and how much they see. Most of them don’t say anything because they don’t want to be kicked out of the jails.
#12
What if? Those are the two words that can lead us down ANY path that is different than the one the evidence points to. The evidence is pointing to the path that leads to Tanaka being indicted. To deny that is to deny the current reality of what the evidence is telling us. There’s a reason Baca and Tanaka said the things they said during the news interviews, There’s a reason Baca stepped down unexpectedly and it wasn’t because he wanted to. They’re both in it up to their ears in the hide the snitch caper. Everybody, including the Feds. know it. Greg Thompson didn’t get the phone call from Baca about the FBI snitch. Tanaka did. Greg Thompson didn’t decide on his own, with no approval from those above him, to hide the snitch.
Come on man!
I’ve been looking through the past newspapers and have not seen any federal convictions of Law Enforcement Officers. Do the Feds indict everyone and then end up with nothing? Then us taxpayers foot the bill for these officers fighting for job loss and back pay. Yep, I’m looking for change in my pocket. Why is a cigar sooo bad and marijuana now sooo okay?
Here we go, those deputies need to tell the Gardena Mayor’s people his rein in LASD is done. There are many that have stood up to Tanaka. They had to put up with a lot of BS from him and his brainless minions and took longer to promote. However, they sleep well at night knowing that honesty, hard work and dedication to public service maintained and advanced their careers. Paul’s run for Sheriff ended the day it began, he’s just to asinine to realize it. The Internet has given the public the 411 on you Paul. Rally your kool aid drinkers and coin holders to downtown Los Angeles, but see how fast they run away when the Feds show up for you. Wonder what this list of “distinguished” Captains will say when their mentor is taken away in handcuffs?
http://www.paultanaka.com/distinguished_lasd_captains_endorse_paul_tanaka
@”Here we go”: there are a lot of us who have been around 30+ years that sympathize with you guys and the pressure that is being put on you, but what most of us learn, way to late, is that we must stick up for ourselves. Weigh the consequences and “respectfully” make a stand. If we all did that early on we would have realized that they can’t get us all, and there will eventually be more of us no-ass kissers, than ass kissers!
I’m really glad to see you have Tanaka and his cronies figured out. Most everything they do is for their benefit not yours (paychecks and power). That being said, if you are available to go to the Candidate Forum on the 19th, I would highly encourage it. I personally don’t think it’s going to work in Tanaka’s favor.
Good luck and I hope you realize that there are “a lot” of us “old-timers” trying to get you “out of this mess!” It would be very easy to retire and fade away into the night, but we want to be proud of this department, as well as you!
Please explain why I have been “comment moderated,” ie- censored. I don’t use profanity, nor do I defame people. I do admit to straight forward writing and exposing the truth. Guilty as charged!!! I’m disappointed in this communist tactic. Sincerely, Ithaca Boomer.
**Disclaimer- Based on my previous post I’ll be careful**
J.London- You asked a couple questions in post #6. I’d like to answer them. As to who let the bogus force investigation go through and then let the statute run out, the answer would be Commander Robert Olmstead. He was the Custody Division commander in 2009. So having said that, I implore you to self introspect about what he really stands for and why he blew the whistle. Also, do some research about why he allowed a masseuse to set up shop and rub on deputies at MCJ. I’m sure she was a nice girl but in all your years have you have heard that in a county building? Judgment issue? And because I’ve been “comment moderated,” I’ll leave the salacious part of the story to your imagination. But feel free to ask the deputies who got to know her best.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Dear Ithacaboomer. For some reason my spam assassin snatched your comment. Occasionally this happens for bizarre reasons.
If a comment fails to appear, as yours did, and you feel reasonably sure there’s nothing objectionable in it, either drop me a note in a personal email or put up a comment letting me know, as you did.
However moans about censorship and communist tactics do not motivate anyone to move any more quickly to search for and find your comment on a nice, overcast Sunday. They merely sound irritatingly petulant and…..well….young.
Thank you in advance for your future cooperation.
Celeste, to pull a line from Todd Rogers when he was allegedly “like spammed,” “Spam Assassin,” whatever that means. But in an effort to sooth the irritant and appearance of youthfulness, I will apologize for the censorship and communist comment. But after a day of information pouring in from sources at ground zero (MCJ), and after a couple Manhattans, I felt it important to post a couple concerns. And when it disappeared into cyberspace, well, I grew suspicious. Again, my apologies. So, I’ll again appeal to ALADS President Armando Macias to not only establish ground rules for the candidates at the forum, but the attendees as well. The word on the yard is the deputies at MCJ and south stations intend to drown out Olmstead with boos. I don’t believe that will serve any purpose. I know of one candidate going there to take names. Armando, let them throw down, don’t sell out!!! This is one circus where I want to hear the clown speak.
Big Hammer, Sadly over the years there have been many federal indictments and convictions of law enforcement officers. Here are a few from Calif. Operation Big Spenders led to the conviction of over 20 Los Angeles deputies, former Orange County Sheriff Michael Carona was convicted. Remember when people once referred to him as America’s Sheriff? Just the past Dec. two L.A County deputies were convicted in Federal court over an 11 million dollar real estate fraud scheme. The Justice Dept. take their time to cross their t’s and dot the i on cases. A criminal is a criminal and having a law enforcement background will make no difference.
http://www.apnewsarchive.com/1994/Three-L-A-Deputies-Convicted-in-Corruption-Probe/id-f9795fa68388d35caa2beb8b3535143b
http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/news2013/nash.conv.html
http://articles.latimes.com/2013/apr/05/local/la-me-ln-mike-carona-prison-20130405
Ithaca Boomer — there is a HUGE difference between a masseuse & a chiropractor. Do your research & maybe even check with local DC listings (that is Doctor of Chiropractic for those uneducated to such things) before jumping to ASSumptions! Get your facts straight and don’t make slurs about people who are truly good & kind hearted. Leave the good doctor out of your BS rant & “salacious” imaginations.
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Boomer, popular websites like WLA get hundreds of “spam” comments a day, which are generated by people who are attempting to embed into WLA’s comment section links to their own sites—which vary from retail sites and the like to porn. My spam catcher program—which I refer to as the Spam Assassin—catches most of these annoying attempts. I catch the rest. However, sometimes a key word in a legitimate comment can cause the assassin to grab it.
As for Todd Rogers overnight flood of Facebook “likes,” that’s a whole other kettle of cyber fish.
C.
Ithaca: BS and once again you need to stop ranting. Olmsted never approved that IA! And I know that for a fact! Please put down the kool-aid. Sorry you lost your doctor, the psychologist!
Thank you “in the know” bloggers and “facts police for what you do, otherwise guys like “ithacaboomer” would constantly get away with tarnishing the good name of good people!
That name makes me laugh, because it’s like when someone calls himself a “ghetto Cop.” Someone who really “worked” the ghetto doesn’t call himself that! People do that because they think it gives them credibility.
I suspect he (ithacaboomer) probably has more time using the new Remington and first saw the Ithaca when the department phased them out and started selling them to Deputies!
Boomer, why do you continue to humiliate yourself? Why do you reveal to the world what a fool you are? Tanaka and Tanaka alone rand LASD into the ground. The pure unadulterated corruption he brought into LASD is unprdcidented. Good God man, have you no shame? The bogus statements you make about Olmsted is so laughable. Let the chips fall where they may.
WELL SAID Turkey!!The Tanaka groupy propaganda machine continues to deal cards from the BOTTOM of the deck and blame others for their own actions. They pin blame on Olmsted for things that Tanaka and his conspirators orchestrated. I suppose Olmsted was responsible for Bernice Abram’s case expiring? EXPLAIN that one please!This tactic was used over and over by Tanaka and that is the reason he took control of IA and ICIB.
The groupies claim Rogers bought likes when in FACT one of the Midget’s technically saavy supporters (pictured on the helicopter pad)set Rogers up and then exposed him on this website. Does anybody but geeks REALLY care about likes??
These tactics really shouldn’t surprise anybody. We’ve seen it over and over for years. That’s how the folks in HIS car operated. There’s no intregrity issues in getting the answers to a promotional test or handing out a choice assignment to an undeserving buddy…HEY, it benefits me and the dear Leader gets loyal atomatons at the key positions in the Department. If these loyalists fail to tow the line, he can send them to outer Mira Loma or expose their illegitimate promotion, effectively FINESED into doing his bidding.
I hear the FINAL sputters of the Tanaka Jalopy. It will be impounded for far more than 30 days and brought to a federal tow yard near you. Don’t be in that car when it gets hooked to the federal tow truck.
#31, Would that technical savvy person happen to work at DSB???? Heard about this person for some time now and may also be in charge of one of the candidates website. Just curious about it is all, because maybe it is another rumor.
Agh, I love the smell of Paul Tanaka and communism in the morning. Since I was feeling nostalgic, I cranked up my favorite Hunt for Red October Scene and let it play while I typed.
SHHH, you can hear it now….”For years the world used to tremble at the sound of our rockets and now they will tremble at our silence”… Kind of reminds of PT minus the great victory and well built nuclear submarine.
Still the SOB will probably pull off his scheme and steam down some quiet river safe in the middle of the night.
Now to my favorite part!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/06/la-sheriff-baca-names-tanaka-as-his-second-in-command.html (Open this)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsC2ETsZL0g (Then start this at 2:31)
All in Boomer’s honor, “Россия – священная наша держава,
Россия – любимая наша страна.
Могучая воля, великая слава –
Твоё достоянье на все времена!”
Call me a Red Boomer, but I am fired up to take on more Tanakites today after hearing that speech.
****Disclaimer- the satire and metaphors may hurt your head if you take most of this seriously. Like PT running for Sheriff****/*
Ithacaboomer……….you’re all talk!
This has been going on for years!! Before I changed my life I had a case (non violent, non drug & non sex crime jus for the record) that I violated my probation on!! I was arrested on the 14 freeway in Lancaster in a taxi, the taxi driver was pulled over!! Just as a question the taxi driver asked “Can a sheriff pull you over on the freeway!! One of the three deputies response was “I CAN DO WHAT EVER I WANT TO DO”! Being a K11 in county we were ridiculed call d**k suckers etc by some deputies on 5000 floor( thank god for Senior Bell because he didn’t allow other deputies to harass his K-11 inmates) I remember hearin older men that had been to jail speak of how the deputies would take inmates in a deserted part of the jail & beat them senseless & this was in the 70’s!! When you are doing wrong illegal , nefarious things, your day is coming!! Mine did, I did my time & will NEVER commit another crime even if I’m broke with no job!! Looks like now it’s these guys turn to pay the piper!! Looks like this gang had street gangs beat!! There’s no difference!! To all my Black brothers & sisters, remember if you stay out of trouble most times you don’t have to deal with the Sheriffs anyway!!