The Latest Breaking News from Max Huntsman

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

ACLU asks judge to hold LA sheriff and county supervisors in contempt over jail conditions

LOS ANGELES — The American Civil Liberties Union asked a federal judge Monday to find Los Angeles County, the Board of Supervisors and Sheriff Robert Luna in contempt of court for failing to fix "appalling" conditions in the local lockups.

Los Angeles Times · Feb 28, 2023

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

Will Los Angeles re-elect its scandal-plagued sheriff?

Elected on promises of reform, Alex Villanueva is now derided as the ‘Trump of LA’ while fueling controversy after controversy

The Guardian - US · Jun 5, 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

Editorial: Villanueva’s attempt to intimidate a Times reporter is a gaslighting assault on the press

Sheriff Alex Villanueva outdid even himself at a Tuesday news conference when he said he had launched a criminal investigation targeting Los Angeles Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian, who has steadfastly reported on the sheriff’s volatile and erratic leadership of the L.A. County law enforcement agency. After being roundly criticized by…

Los Angeles Times · Apr 28, 2022

LA sheriff investigates how reporter obtained leaked video

The Los Angeles County sheriff disputed allegations he orchestrated the cover-up of an incident where a deputy knelt on a handcuffed inmate’s head for more than three minutes

The Independent UK · Apr 26, 2022

In brazen attack on press, Sheriff Alex Villanueva investigates LA Times reporter who revealed cover-up

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced Tuesday his department is targeting an L.A. Times journalist in a criminal leak investigation for her reporting on the department's cover-up of an incident in which a deputy kneeled on the head of a handcuffed inmate for three minutes.

Los Angeles Times · Apr 26, 2022

LA County panel launches investigation into Sheriff's Department 'deputy gangs'

LOS ANGELES — The civilian commission that oversees the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is launching an independent investigation into "deputy gangs" that have operated for decades.

Los Angeles Times · Mar 24, 2022