This is historical, archived material from the administration of the 33rd Sheriff of Los Angeles County, Alex Villanueva. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.
The statements, letters, writings, and utterings made by the 33rd Sheriff do not reflect the current view of the Los Angeles County Sheriff, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, or the County of Los Angeles.
Current statements can be viewed on the Department’s main site, LASD.org
This Thanksgiving weekend is the start of the holiday shopping season. Black Friday and Cyber Monday provide an opportunity for consumers to find a great deal. In order to help the public have a crime-free shopping season, LASD periodically informs & continues to warn the public through social media about holiday safety
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
Neighbors watch out for neighbors! If you will be staying home or traveling, help keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it to your local law enforcement. This makes communities safer.
Let someone you trust know when you’re traveling. Have them watch your house and retrieve any newspapers and collect your mail. If you are going to be gone long, contact your United States Postal Service and put your mail on hold.
When out shopping, stay vigilant! Park in a well-lit area.
Avoid shopping alone! Consider shopping with friends or relatives so everyone looks out for each other.
If you are shopping with children, coach them on what to do if they become separated. Make sure they know their first and last name, have contact phone numbers memorized and teach them about 911.
Do not leave packages in plain view in your vehicle. Lock your vehicle and place all your merchandise in the trunk.
If you place packages in your vehicle and plan to go back inside for more shopping, please consider driving away from your current parking spot and park somewhere new, so no one knows what valuable items you just left unattended.
Remember where you parked and be sure to locate your keys prior to going to your car. Prior to getting into your vehicle take a look inside and around before entering.
Be cautious of strangers approaching you for any reason. Many thieves will use different methods to distract you with the intention of taking your money or merchandise. Consider Instead, volunteering or donating to a charity.
Keep a secure hold on your purse. When approaching or leaving your vehicle, be aware of your surroundings.
Keep your home safe! Set lights on timers, giving the impression the house is not alone. Make sure to close all blinds and lock all entry points such as windows, sliders, and all your doors.
Celebrate responsibly by planning ahead. Even if you’ve had only one drink, play it safe and designate a sober driver or use a ride-share service to get home. If you plan on drinking, don’t plan on driving.
Don’t use a debit card. Many people like using a debit card due to convenience or as a budgeting tool, but debit cards lack the same consumer protections that credit cards do. Should your account be compromised, you can be responsible for a greater share of the loss than if you had used a credit card
Be wary of online deals that are too good to be true. Do your research on whoever you are buying from.
If an online seller asks you to wire payment, be suspicious. Many times fraudsters will advertise a great deal on a high dollar item, but will only accept a money wire transfer. Once the money is wired to an account, it is very difficult to recover it if later on it turns out you were the victim of fraud.
Only do business with vendors who use secure websites.
Keep an eye on your credit cards at all times. A common tactic of fraudsters employed by a legitimate company is to take the card you present as payment, swipe it through the legitimate payment system, and then swipe it again through their own collection device. Your credit card information can then be used by the crook for their own purpose or sold to other crooks.
Guard your identity the same as you would your pocketbook. Criminals not only want your money, they want your identity. With it, they can use it to get credit and make purchases while sticking you with the bill. Your information is valuable and can be sold to other criminals as well.
Be suspicious of people claiming to be from your credit card company who need to “verify” information. If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from your credit card company asking you to verify Personally Identifiable Information be careful.
The caller could be a scammer who is gathering information that will later on help him steal your identity. If you feel there is some legitimacy to the callers questions, terminate the call and call back the company using a phone number you know is legitimate. You can find these numbers on your credit card statement or the company’s website.
Monitor bank statements for suspicious activity. With increased activity during the shopping season, it is easy for a bad guy to slip in a few unauthorized transactions without you knowing it. Monitor bank and credit cards regularly for suspicious transactions and question anything that does not look legitimate regardless of the amount. Most financial companies offer online access to your account and you can monitor transactions in real time.
Limit use of free Wi-Fi. Don’t use free wireless networks, such as those in coffee shops, when you shop online. Fraudulent Wi-Fi hotspots are too easy to set up and are often disguised to look like legitimate services offered by reputable companies. Bad guys use these fraudulent sights to capture your data or install malware on your device. Waiting until you have a secure connection at home or using data from your own personal cellular plan is a good way to eliminate this type of operation.
Stay informed by following the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Headquarters social media pages and your designated patrol station to help keep you up-to-date on crime trends and safety tips.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department wishes everyone a safe, productive crime free shopping season.
Sheriff addresses Several Areas of Public Interesthttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/i-qpSgwQh-X4-1-1024x512.jpg1024512SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Alex Villanueva Addresses Several Areas of Current Public Interest
On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to address several areas of current public interest.
In his opening statement, Sheriff Villanueva talked about CSULA conducting an independent analysis. The study includes examining the organizational structure, policies, and procedures that govern LASD’s response to deputy misconduct between January 1, 2012, and July 31, 2022. The outcome of this analysis resulted in 48 complaints per month; on average timeline from allegation to disposition was 144 days. “Misconduct is an individual behavior and occurs independent of tattoo status. Rather cases involving the presence of a tattoo and allegations of misconduct are coincidental,” according to the people who conducted the analysis.
He also discussed the lawsuits brought by Austreberto Gonzalez, the Estate of Paul Rea, and Robin Limon, which have fallen apart due to false narratives and lack of evidence. The lawsuits filed were all driven by a failed sheriff’s candidate recruiting department members to sue and became a very elaborate campaign strategy.
The sheriff displayed the letter to the Board of Supervisors regarding Office of Inspector General, Max Huntsman to correct the record based on what he said and what he did. However, the BOS refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing by Huntsman. He explains that the Board of Supervisors portrayed the sheriff through narrative as being insubordinate against the BOS and created an elaborate system to give a negative impression to the public about the sheriff himself even though all the information was provided to them based on what they were legally entitled. Yet when it came time for Max Huntsman to testify, his testimony was secretive. Huntsman’s testimony took place behind closed doors, where he recanted everything said in public, including the identification of gang members.
He continued to show how the District Attorney was holding off releasing the results of high-profile cases of Anthony Weber, Andres Guardado, Enzo Escalante, and Dijon Kizzee, of which three were found to be justifiable, and one declined to file charges. Yet, the results were not released because of political purposes.
During his four years in office, he faced complex challenges, from the Bobcat Fire to a worldwide pandemic, from protests and riots to the homeless crisis, to name a few of the constant challenges (See material used during the press conference). Yet with the challenges the sheriff faced, many accomplishments were achieved: ICE was removed from jails, SCAAP Grant Funding rejected, and CCW’s attainable (See material used during the press conference).
Sheriff Villanueva wished the incoming sheriff Robert Luna well on his new endeavor. The safety of the community depends on him as well as the welfare of every member of the department.
Sheriff Villanueva thanks every department member for their hard work and dedication. “They are true heroes.” He continues to thank the media for doing what they can, having patience when reporting the information, and being the voice of democracy that will survive.
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is a voluntary Association. People are not forced to be deputy sheriffs; you have to want to be a deputy sheriff. People have faith in the leadership and the work ethic of this organization.”-Sheriff Villanueva.
Sheriff Villanueva Discusses Results of High-Profile Cases Suppressed by the DAhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_1397-1024x679.jpg1024679SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
On Thursday, November 3, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to discuss the results of four high-profile cases that were suppressed by the Office of the District Attorney (DA). The cases are: Anthony Weber, Andres Guardado, Dijon Kizzee, and Enzo Escalante.
Sheriff Villanueva said whistleblowers from the District’s Attorney’s Office provided Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) with “disturbing and disappointing information.” Cases assigned to the District Attorney Justice System Integrity Division (JSID) were intentionally withheld from the public’s release to avoid criticism from supporters during the recall effort of District Attorney George Gascon as well as to affect the outcome of the Sheriff’s election.
The shooting of Anthony Webber happened on February 4, 2018, during the time of Villanueva’s predecessor. The case was submitted to the JSID by the LASD Homicide Bureau on September 25, 2018. On February 17, 2022, the case was signed off as justifiable by Deputy District Attorney Joseph Iniguez.
The shooting of Andres Guardado occurred on June 18, 2020, and the case was submitted to the JSID by the LASD Homicide Bureau on December 19, 2020. Director Diana Teran signed off the Deputy Involved Shooting case on January 12, 2022, as justifiable.
Dijon Kizzee’s shooting occurred on August 31, 2020. The case was submitted to JSID by the LASD Homicide Bureau on June 22, 2021, and District Attorney George Gascon signed it off on May 25, 2022, as justifiable.
Lastly, a use of force incident that occurred in the San Fernando Court lockup on March 10, 2021, was submitted to the JSID by the Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau on April 14, 2022. This case was signed off by George Gascon last month, on October 3, 2022, and he declined to file charges.
The Sheriff mentioned these types of cases presented which are presented to the DA are devastating for both parties. Many times, there is a tragic loss of human life. Families need closure; deputies do not know if they will be charged, and lives are disrupted on both sides. Administrative investigations must wait until results from the DA’s office are disclosed. The Community is also forming and making decisions based on the information, or lack of information, that the DA had in these cases and chose not to release for months.
“When we do our investigations, good, bad and different results, we have to present them and do what we’re supposed to do, take action, administratively we take action. We present the case to the District Attorney and the Attorney General if it’s a federal case. Still, we don’t withhold things for material gain or political advantage, and this is exactly what’s happened with all four cases, and I’m… I’m disappointed but not shocked,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
The Sheriff’s Department will contact the Office of the Attorney General to request an investigation and examine if the District Attorney has been engaged in electioneering and using his office to influence the outcome of the election by suppressing information.
Family Seeks public’s help to solve Murder of Donte Lee Johnsonhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/IMG_0273-768x1024.jpg7681024SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Detectives and Family Members Seek the Public’s Help to Solve the Murder of Philadelphia Resident Donte Lee Johnson; $20,000 Reward
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detectives held a press conference on Wednesday, November 2, 2022, to announce a $20,000 reward in exchange for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of 30-year-old- Donte Lee Johnson. The reward was approved by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
On March 5, 2021, at approximately 2:09 p.m., Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) deputies responded to an assault with a deadly weapon, and gunshot victim call, at 609 N. Long Beach Boulevard, Compton, CA. Upon arrival, deputies found Donte Lee Johnson on the ground, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper torso. Unfortunately, the victim, Donte Lee Johnson, succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
Mr. Johnson, a resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was visiting friends to attend a social gathering in the City of Compton. Donte and his friends were at the location when they encountered the suspect, who produced a handgun and began firing in their direction. After the shooting, the suspect entered the rear passenger seat of an awaiting silver Chrysler PT Cruiser, which drove west on Elm Street from Long Beach Blvd. and out of view. The PT Cruiser was missing two hubcaps, had oxidation on the roof, and had a sticker on the lower left corner of the rear window. Investigators believe the shooting was gang-related and Donte was an innocent victim of the senseless act of violence.
Donte Lee Johnson’s younger brother was killed in 2011 in Philadelphia, and his mother, Movita Johnson-Harrell, created the CHARLES Foundation (Creating Healthy Alternatives Results in Less Emotional Suffering) in his memory. Donte advocated ending gun violence, speaking at events including the House of Representatives and the Senate. In his speeches, he would label himself as an “endangered species.” Donte and his family worked tirelessly so that other families would not experience the pain of losing a loved one to gun violence. In addition to fighting gun violence, Donte worked in the family business since the age of 16, caring for people with mental disabilities. He was a loving father to a 9-year-old girl and a 4-year-old-boy.
“My son came down the steps on March 4th, 2021, kissed me on my left cheek five times, looked me in my eyes and said, ‘mom, I love you. I’ll see you later,’ and the next time my son came home was in a box,” said Donte’s mom, Movita Johnson-Harrell.
Detectives believe there are witnesses in the area who may have seen or know the suspects’ identities. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477) or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.
Sheriff Villanueva Announces arrest of LAw enforcement impersonator – Victims soughthttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/024-022-153-1024x819.jpg1024819SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Villanueva Announces Arrest of Law Enforcement Impersonator that Extorted Spanish Speaking Handymen
On Tuesday, November 1st, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva along with Bellflower Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lakewood Station, held a press conference to announce the arrest of a law enforcement impersonator that targeted Spanish speakers to steal money from them.
In June of 2022, a victim went to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Station in Lakewood to report a theft. He stated he was a contractor and had a Spanish ad listing in “El Clasificado” for handyman work. The suspect contacted the victim to perform work on the suspect’s home located in the city of Bellflower. Sometime during the meeting, the suspect identified himself as an “LA Police Detective” and said he had access to confiscated and towed vehicles from the police department to sell. The suspect offered to sell the victim two hybrid vehicles for a $7,000.00 deposit via Zelle and another $7,000.00 once the vehicles were delivered. The victim never received the vehicles and the suspect ignored any calls from the victim.
On one occasion, the victim was able to get a hold of the suspect via cellphone and during the call, the suspect told the victim that he was a detective and if he didn’t want any problems, he should stay away.
Bellflower Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lakewood Station, in partnership with the cities of Lakewood, Paramount, Bellflower, Artesia and Hawaiian Gardens, started an investigation and on October 27, 2022, Bellflower Detectives authored a search warrant and arrested suspect Alejandro Martin at his residence. He was booked at Lakewood Station for theft by false pretense.
So far, eight victims have come forward with similar incidents totaling approximately over $100,000.000. On October 31st the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office filed charges of grand theft, attempted grand theft, and impersonating a peace officer. Martin was arrested in 2014 for impersonating a peace officer and grand theft. He received three years of probation for the grand theft and the impersonation charge was dropped. In 2019, he was arrested again for impersonation, grand theft and felon in possession of a firearm. Once again, the impersonation charge was dropped but he did receive a sentence of two years and 8 months for the possession and grand theft charge.
All victims are Hispanic and Spanish speakers and are either handymen or did construction work and placed ads in “El Clasificado” to advertise their services. The suspect would use these advertisements to initiate contact with his victims.
Oftentimes, Spanish speakers are victims of crime and theft and they do not report incidents. Villanueva assured that the mission of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is to protect all County residents.
“We investigate crimes without asking about immigration status. Our focus is to protect everyone in the community. Witnesses and victims should not be afraid to report crimes because they fear deportation. We have a responsibility to respect due process rights for all and to protect our community,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
Any possible theft victims of Alejandro Martin are encouraged to contact Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Detective Gallegos at 562-925-0124 ext. 2541.
Sheriff Villanueva provides an updaTe on the Attorney General’s Investigationhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/POST_PC_102622_main-1024x528.jpg1024528SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
On Wednesday, October 26, 2022, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to provide a status on the investigation of the Attorney General on the search warrants that were served regarding the Peace over Violence investigation, and other relevant information.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has a court hearing on Thursday, October 27, 2022, to provide a status on the handling over of evidence for the investigation to the Attorney General’s office. This week, LASD learned that a motion is being filed by the Attorney General’s office seeking to compel the LASD to destroy all evidence in their possession, including Body-Worn Camera footage. If granted, this motion would be an illegal destruction of evidence and possible obstruction of justice. This motion would also leave the LASD without evidence for defense in potential lawsuits regarding this issue.
A picture of the moment Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl is escorted out of her house was widely circulated and an audio that was recorded inside of her house moments before she was escorted out was played. A male’s voice can be heard offering her shoes and Kuehl can be heard saying: “No it’s a much better picture when I’m barefoot.” The media pointed out the fact that she was barefoot and the narrative was that LASD abused her rights and somehow mishandled her. “This is part of everything that the Attorney General wants to delete and destroy from all of our files and I’m troubled by that,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
LASD will address the concern with the Assistant U.S. Attorney, Central District in California, and will request that they monitor the Attorney General’s investigation.
Sheriff Villanueva also addressed the number of civilian oversight hearings, lawsuits and the number of articles published by the LA Times. A total of sixty-nine articles have been published about Sheriff Villanueva and all of them have a negative connotation; everything to influence the outcome of the November election.
Sheriff Villanueva ended the press conference by wishing everyone a safe Halloween and for those concerned about fentanyl, he pointed out there is no evidence of fentanyl being packaged and passed off as candy to kids but there is evidence of fentanyl being disguised in bulk candy boxes for smuggling purposes. He reminded parents to check the candy children collect and toss anything that looks suspicious.
TSB Coffee with the Sheriffhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Image-791x1024.jpeg7911024SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Santa Monica Downtown – 4th St. Metro Station, 402 Colorado Ave. Santa Monica
Join Sheriff Alex Villanueva and LASD Transit Services Bureau Captain Shawn Kehoe for some free coffee and pastries, and an opportunity to chat with them and your Sheriff’s transit policing team.
We’ll also have transit rider safety info and items for the kids.
For more info: Instagram: @lasdtransit Facebook: LAD Transit Services Bureau Twitter: @TransitLASD
Press Conference regarding public corruption in Los Angeles Countyhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/022-145-24-1024x512.jpg1024512SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/d17acab79bb8806a81f70b6402a24315?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Press Conference regarding public corruption in Los Angeles County
On Wednesday, October 19, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to discuss public corruption in Los Angeles County and its relationship with the leaked tape of the Los Angeles Council members. The now infamous audio revealed racist, hurtful remarks but it also brought to light concerning issues that are not getting as much attention.
In the audio from the the notorious meeting, Nury Martinez talks about getting a phone call from LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis to help her get votes. “When she calls me about that _____, it’s because she wants me to help her get the votes. And I’m like, what? I’m not involving myself in your sham”, says Martinez.
The council members also discuss Measure H, the ¼-cent sales tax approved by Los Angeles County voters to prevent and address homelessness countywide, they question what former Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas did about homelessness. “You tell me what measure H has done? You tell me how many detox beds, how many mental facilities. You tell me, where are those beds that this tax was supposed to do?” says Martinez. Kevin de León adds that Riddley-Thomas “did nothing for 10 years.”
In a secondary clip from September 2022, former LA County Labor President Ron Herrera and Hanna Cho, an aide who previously worked with Mitch O’Farrell (now acting council president since Martinez resigned) discuss buying endorsements from Democratic Clubs. “We need to buy some of these larger clubs, we just need to buy them up. And then just take over them. And he’s like a lot of them are cheap. I don’t see why we can’t do that. LACYD, like the Young Dems, that’s the one you do need to buy. The LGBT one? You need to buy them off,” says Cho during the back-door negotiations.
“This is what we know, what do we not know? What conversations are going on behind closed doors with all the City Council and the Board of Supervisors trying to lever each other’s positions, basically to game it to their advantage. A sad moment for all the community,” said Villanueva.
In other news, former Assistant Sheriff Robin Limon was supposed to testify in a deposition to her lawsuit but decided not to do it. To further point out that lawsuits are being used to work against his election, he touched on the latest lawsuit by Lieutenant Joseph Garrido and pointed out that Garrido witnessed alleged misconduct and did not do anything until he was under investigation.
On Monday October 17, 2022, County Council went to court to try to enforce the subpoenas from the Oversight Commission and admitted to the judge that they wanted to squeeze two more before the elections, acknowledging that everything is done to influence the elections.
He concluded the press conference by addressing an incident that happened on Sunday, October 16, 2022, where South Los Angeles deputies were involved in a use of force incident with an armed suspect in the city of Inglewood. The suspect had a previous traumatic injury which he sustained in an unrelated incident prior to contact with LASD deputies. The suspect is a convicted felon and was arrested for being in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, possession of (loaded) concealed firearm, assault on a peace officer with a firearm. The incident gained traction on social media but Sheriff Villanueva made everyone aware that the use of force is being investigated and appropriate action will be taken based on the results of the investigation.
On October 19, 2022, at approximately 0730 hours, LA County Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau Detectives and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents assigned to a task force at the Los Angeles International Airport seized approximately 12,000 suspected fentanyl pills.
The suspect attempted to go through TSA screening with several bags of candy and miscellaneous snacks with the intent of boarding a plane. However, it was discovered that inside the “Sweetarts”, “Skittles”, and “Whoppers” candy boxes were fentanyl pills and not candy. The suspect fled prior to being detained by law enforcement but has been identified and the investigation is on-going.
With Halloween approaching, parents need to make sure they are checking their kids candy and not allowing them to eat anything until it has been inspected by them. If you find anything in candy boxes that you believe might be narcotics, do not touch it and immediately notify your local law enforcement agency.