The Latest Breaking News from Banditos

Alligator tears man’s arm off after he went to urinate in Florida pond because bar bathroom line was too long

Jordan Rivera, 23, says he tripped and was attacked as he went to relieve himself behind Banditos bar in Port Charlotte

The Independent UK · May 23, 2023

Deputies outlined veiled threat to county watchdog on defaced poster. Nothing happened

LOS ANGELES — Last fall, investigators with the Office of Inspector General — the county's watchdog — paid a visit to the troubled East Los Angeles sheriff's station, home of the notorious Banditos deputy gang.

Los Angeles Times · May 19, 2023

Sheriff orders deputies to obey watchdog request to reveal gang tattoos

LOS ANGELES — Less than a week after the county watchdog ordered dozens of deputies to show their gang tattoos and answer questions about violent cliques within the department, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna on Thursday sent a department-wide email commanding his staff to comply with the inspector general's…

Los Angeles Times · May 19, 2023

New deputy 'gang' forming in LA County Sheriff's Department, lawsuit alleges

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies are forming a new "gang" in the agency's East L.A. station, according to a deputy who alleges in a lawsuit he was abused when he refused to join the group.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 9, 2023

LA Sheriff's Department officials tried to block testimony of key witness at 'deputy gang' hearing, lawsuit says

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other department officials tried to prevent a key witness from testifying before an oversight panel about gang-like groups of deputies, according to a new lawsuit.

Los Angeles Times · Aug 31, 2022

Investigators probing 'deputy gang' violence in LA Sheriff's Department were told not to ask about Banditos, chief says

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva was transitioning into office late in 2018 when then-Capt. Matthew Burson was overseeing a high-profile criminal investigation into an alleged assault involving East L.A. deputies at a station party.

Los Angeles Times · Jun 21, 2022

As hearing on ‘deputy gangs’ opens, testimony adds to years of allegations

LOS ANGELES — When Sgt. Jefferson Chow started investigating a fight between deputies assigned to the East L.A. sheriff’s station, he was instructed by a supervisor to question witnesses about groups of deputies that behaved something like street gangs.

Los Angeles Times · May 25, 2022

Brickbat: Gang Squad

In a letter to Sheriff Alex Villanueva, Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Hunstman claimed his office has compiled a list of 41 deputies who are members of "gang-like" organizations, including the Banditos and the Executioners. The letter did not name any of the deputies. In a statement, the sheriff's…

Reason · Mar 29, 2022

Inspector general identifies 41 LA sheriff's deputies who allegedly belong to gang-like groups

LOS ANGELES — The top watchdog for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has identified more than 40 alleged members of gang-like groups of deputies that operate out of two sheriff's stations.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 22, 2022