LASDHQ

Multi-Agency Effort Nets Recovery of 33 Missing Children in Operation “Lost Angels” 506 414 SIB Staff

Multi-Agency Effort Nets Recovery of 33 Missing Children in Operation “Lost Angels”

Multi-Agency Effort Nets Recovery of 33 Missing Children in Operation “Lost Angels”

During the month of January, which is also Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department worked in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and two dozen other local law enforcement and non-governmental agencies to help identify, locate and safely recover children that had been missing or were possibly being sexually exploited and/or trafficked.

As a result of this multi-agency effort, which began on Monday, January 11, 2021, 33 children have successfully been found. 8 of those children were confirmed as being sexually exploited at the time they were found and 2 of them were rescued multiple times from a location in which commercial sex trafficking is known to operate.

This operation resulted in the arrest of one suspected Human Trafficker, on state charges, and helped to initiate several new investigations.

Throughout these operations, victims are provided with information about resources on how to obtain housing, continue their education and childcare, just to name a few. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the California Department of Child & Family Services and other non-government victim advocacy organizations were also on hand to provide their services and assist in any way.  

“Collaboration with our law enforcement partners is key to ending the vicious cycle of modern day slavery. I’m committed to doing everything we can to stop human trafficking,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the below partner agencies who helped make this operation successful:

California Highway Patrol

Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office

United States Attorney’s Office

United States Marshall’s Service

Internal Revenue Service

Drug Enforcement Agency

Health and Human Services

Inglewood Police Department

El Segundo Police Department

Pomona Police Department

Glendale Police Department

Long Beach Police Department

San Diego Police Department

Wichita Police Department

Langston University Police (Oklahoma)

San Luis Obispo Sheriff’s Office

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office

San Luis Obispo District Attorney Bureau of Investigation

Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

California Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services

Los Angeles County Probation Office

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Wayfinder Family Services

Arizona Department of Child Safety

For more information about this operation, visit:

33 missing children, including some who were sexually exploited, found during operation in SoCal: FBI
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/33-missing-children-including-some-who-were-sexually-exploited-found-during-multi-agency-operation-in-socal/

Anyone who believes they may be victims of human trafficking may call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline (NHTRC) at 888-373-7888 or visit https://humantraffickinghotline.org/ The NHTRC is a national, confidential, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls at all times.

Those who wish to report incidents of suspected human trafficking may call their Sheriff’s Station or local FBI office.

For more information about this operation, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department-Special Victims/Human Trafficking Bureau or the FBI Media Relations Office.

Sheriff alex villanueva graphic. portrait of sheriff in tan shirt black tie. Sheriff's uniform, on greeen background with the hall of justice building behind him faded in the back ground.
DOJ NON-CRIMINAL “PATTERN AND PRACTICE” INVESTIGATION 1024 249 SIB Staff

DOJ NON-CRIMINAL “PATTERN AND PRACTICE” INVESTIGATION

DOJ NON-CRIMINAL “PATTERN AND PRACTICE” INVESTIGATION

January 22, 2021

As Sheriff, I look forward to this non-criminal “pattern and practice” investigation. Our Department may finally have an impartial, objective assessment of our operations, and recommendations on any areas we can improve our service to the community.  During my administration, we have routinely requested the State Office of the Attorney General to monitor our investigations, and we will provide immediate access to all information in our possession.  We are eager to get this process started, in the interest of transparency and accountability.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva

Sheriff alex villanueva graphic. portrait of sheriff in tan shirt black tie. Sheriff's uniform, on greeen background with the hall of justice building behind him faded in the back ground.
U.S. CAPITOL INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY INVOLVING OFF-DUTY DEPUTY 1024 249 SIB Staff

U.S. CAPITOL INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY INVOLVING OFF-DUTY DEPUTY

U.S. CAPITOL INCIDENT ALLEGEDLY INVOLVING OFF-DUTY DEPUTY

January 14, 2021

As I indicated today during my Instagram/Facebook live briefing, I am very concerned one of my deputies may have been involved in wrongdoing at the U.S. Capitol. Upon learning, I contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and briefed them. Additionally, we have initiated an administrative inquiry into the matter. Anyone with additional information, please contact LASD.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva

LASD Sheriff's Department Logo
Transparency SB 1421 – Update 600 128 SIB Staff

Transparency SB 1421 – Update

Transparency via SB 1421: Update

Effective January 1, 2019, Senate Bill 1421, the Right to Know Act, went into effect.

This CA bill essentially made public previously confidential records about law enforcement officers involved in shootings or other serious uses of force, as well as those who committed sexual assaults or acts of dishonesty. 

As this law went into effect, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) had very little infrastructure in place to prepare for the onslaught of Public Records Act (PRA) requests that were to come.  As the requests began to pour in, Sheriff Villanueva had been in office for one month and was left with no infrastructure to handle this massive undertaking.  The Sheriff understands the value of transparency and accountability, to that end, the LASD requested funding for personnel, and tracking and redaction software, but was denied multiple times.

As a temporary fix to meet the law’s requirements, Sheriff Villanueva temporarily re-assigned personnel in an effort to meet the demand and instructed LASD’s Data Systems Bureau to create software to move forward at a faster pace.

We are thankful that In November of 2020, the CEO provided funding for the software which is currently in the procurement stage.

Since January 1, 2019, LASD has received 3,725 SB-1421 requests, and Sheriff Villanueva is proud to announce we have managed to fulfill 3,593 of those requests to date.  Given the extraordinary amount of meticulous tracking and legally mandated redacting necessary for every document requested, it is a huge feat that LASD has nearly accomplished the enormous number of SB-1421 requests.  Also noteworthy, LASD currently has 335 SB-1421 cases PUBLICLY posted on www.sheriff33.lasd.org under a new digital page titled “LASD Transparency.”  As new records are released to the requestor, they will be continued to be posted online to that page.  Finally, only those cases that are still being investigated and/or involve civil litigation, cannot be publicly released.

LASD, being the largest Sheriff’s Department in the nation, is the recipient of probably the highest number of PRA requests given the sheer size of our Department and the 10 million residents we serve.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Continues Enforcement of Super-Spreader Events in LA County  1024 497 SIB Staff

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Continues Enforcement of Super-Spreader Events in LA County 

On Saturday, December 19, 2020, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) continued enforcement of the Los Angeles County health orders to address underground party events.  The driving concern was the fact these incidents violated the Los Angeles County Health Officer Orders regarding COVID protocols, also known as a “Super Spreader Event.”

We monitored parties across Los Angeles County and the following resources were deployed:

  • Sheriff’s Response Team
  • Human Trafficking Taskforce
  • Operation Safe Streets Bureau
  • Fraud and Cyber Crime Bureau
  • Aero Bureau

At approximately 1045 pm, Department members responded to an underground party event in the 400 block of South Hewitt Avenue, Los Angeles.  Just prior to our arrival, a shooting incident occurred within the party and two persons were shot.  One of the victims was pronounced deceased.   The incident occurred in Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) jurisdiction, and LAPD personnel responded to handle the investigation, while LASD personnel assisted with crowd control and crime scene containment.

At approximately 1230 am, Department personnel responded to another underground party at the 1900 block of East Rosecrans Avenue, Compton.  Announcements were made and the location was secured.  The results of the operation include the following:

  • 67 Arrests
    • 60 Adult, Misdemeanors (cite out)
    • 6 Juvenile, Misdemeanors (cite out)
    • 1 Possession of a firearm (Adult)
  • One firearm was recovered (adult arrest)
  • Evidence of illegal NOS usage

A third underground party in the 3600 block of Pico Boulevard, Los Angeles, was monitored for a possible Department enforcement mission; however, a shooting at the location resulted in the event being shut down by LAPD personnel.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva has made it clear he will seek out and take law enforcement action against all underground party events occurring anywhere within Los Angeles County, who fall under the Health Orders of the County’s Department of Public Health.  The goal of these enforcement actions is to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and the risk to our vulnerable populations.  We thank the Board of Supervisors for their commitment to resource COVID-19 enforcement action (Amendment to Motion S-1, December 8, 2020)

Photo Link of 12/19/2020 Incident
https://www.lasdvideos.org/mediaportal/super-spreader-enforcement/

LASD ACADEMY Class 453 DEDICATES COLORS RUN TO OFFICER ANTHONY DIA 985 658 SIB Staff

LASD ACADEMY Class 453 DEDICATES COLORS RUN TO OFFICER ANTHONY DIA

On Monday, October 26, 2020, recruits from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Class 453 dedicated their “Colors Run” to Officer Anthony Dia of the Toledo Police Department in Toledo, Ohio. A “Colors Run” is a run in which every graduating academy class participates in and dedicates it to a fallen officer around the nation. The run helps to promote unity and pride among the recruits, and it’s a way of earning their Sheriff patches to be worn on their uniforms.

On Saturday, July 4, 2020, Officer Anthony Dia was shot after responding to a disturbance call at a local hardware store. Despite his wounds, he was able to return fire as the suspect fled. While Officer Dia was receiving medical aid from witnesses at the scene, he was able to put out a heartbreaking recorded radio broadcast in which he said, “Tell my family I love them.” Officer Dia was transported to a local hospital but unfortunately, succumbed to his wounds. He was a police officer for a total of 4 years and is survived by his wife, two sons and his parents.

Class 453 arranged for the entire Dia family to fly out to Los Angeles to be a part of their special run dedicated to their loved one, Anthony. “As far as I know, this is the first run that we’ve done dedicating it to an officer outside of the state, so having the family here was a tremendous honor and privilege for the class,” said Recruit Training Unit Deputy Jeff Rupert.On Friday, November 20, 2020, Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva swore in 71 graduates from Class 453 compiling 20 female and 51 male graduates.

Thank you for your service Officer Dia, your family will always be in our thoughts and prayers.

LASD Relaxes Parking Enforcement in unincorporated LA County Areas 600 410 SIB Staff

LASD Relaxes Parking Enforcement in unincorporated LA County Areas

Effective Immediately, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Relaxes Parking Enforcement in Unincorporated Los Angeles County Areas

The recent stay-at-home order issued in early December, brought to light once again the need for additional parking across Los Angeles County. Understanding the needs and challenges of those in the communities we serve, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Parking Enforcement Detail will temporarily relax parking enforcement, effective immediately, to help cope with parking availability.

Temporary relaxed enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County will include:

  • Street sweeping:  All streets with posted signs for street sweeping, per 15.20.07(2) LACVC, will not be enforced.
  • Expired registration:  Vehicles with expired registration will not be cited for 5204 (a) CVC.
    Registrations expired in excess of six months, in violation of 4000(a)(1) CVC are subject to citation, per 22651 (o)(1)(A) CVC, will not be towed.

Enforcement in the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County will continue for:

  • Blocking fire hydrants.
  • Red zone parking and/or fire lane.
  • Handicap parking violations.
  • Blocking driveway.
  • Parked vehicles which disrupt the flow of traffic.
  • Metered parking in business districts.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will continue to enforce violations which pose an immediate risk to public safety.

150 ARRESTED at Massive Super-Spreader Event 960 768 SIB Staff

150 ARRESTED at Massive Super-Spreader Event

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arrests Over 150 People at a Massive “Super-Spreader” Event in Palmdale  

On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced details and results from an operation at a super-spreader event on Saturday, December 5, 2020, in Palmdale. The operation was done with extensive coordination and meticulous planning from various bureaus and units, including the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, Human Trafficking Force, Operation Safe Streets Bureau, Aero Bureau, three patrol squads of the Mobile Field Force Personnel, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department obtained information that a massive underground party would occur at a vacant house in Palmdale. Previous incidents revealed parties like these often involve drugs, prostitution, underage drinking, and violence.  

During the well-executed operation on the 6300 blocks of West Avenue M8, 158 individuals were arrested; 116 of them were adults, and 35 were juveniles. Six firearms were confiscated. Most importantly, a girl that was categorized as a Commercially Sexually Exploited Child was rescued. The event was not only a violation of the Governor’s health order, but it was also criminal in nature. 

Sheriff Villanueva asked local and state politicians to reconsider allowing the restaurant industry to re-open and instead target super-spreader events, which account for most COVID-19 transmissions. 

“We will continue to apply common sense to our enforcement actions and weigh the letter of the law with the spirit of the law. It is my firm belief that this approach is a more efficient and effective means to manage the spread of this potentially deadly virus,” said Sheriff Villanueva. 

Press Conference: Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arrests Over 150 People at a Massive “Super-spreader” Event in Palmdale

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Arrests Over 150 People at a Massive “Super-Spreader” Event in Palmdale.On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced details and results from an operation at a super-spreader event on Saturday, December 5, 2020, in Palmdale. The operation was done with extensive coordination and meticulous planning from various bureaus and units, including the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, Human Trafficking Force, Operation Safe Streets Bureau, Aero Bureau, three patrol squads of the Mobile Field Force Personnel, and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department obtained information that a massive underground party would occur at a vacant house in Palmdale. Previous incidents revealed parties like these often involve drugs, prostitution, underage drinking, and violence. During the well-executed operation on the 6300 blocks of West Avenue M8, 158 individuals were arrested; 116 of them were adults, and 35 were juveniles. Six firearms were confiscated. Most importantly, a girl that was categorized as a Commercially Sexually Exploited Child was rescued. The event was not only a violation of the Governor’s health order, but it was also criminal in nature. Sheriff Villanueva asked local and state politicians to reconsider allowing the restaurant industry to re-open and instead, target super-spreader events, which account for most COVID-19 transmissions. “We will continue to apply common sense to our enforcement actions and weigh the letter of the law with the spirit of the law. It is my firm belief that this approach is a more efficient and effective means to manage the spread of this potentially deadly virus,” said Sheriff Villanueva.

Posted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday, December 8, 2020
LASD Seize Large Amount of Drugs and Illegal Firearms 960 768 SIB Staff

LASD Seize Large Amount of Drugs and Illegal Firearms

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Operation Safe Streets Bureau Seize Large Amount of Drugs and Illegal Firearms

On the morning of Tuesday, December 1, 2020, Detectives from Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Operation Safe Streets (OSS) Bureau, conducted a follow up investigation involving a felon in possession of a firearm. Detectives authored and served two search warrants for two locations in the city of El Monte.

During the search warrant, detectives seized eight firearms and a large amount of narcotics which included over 100 lbs. of methamphetamines and approximately 15 lbs. of heroin. Two suspects, both adult males, were arrested for felon in possession of loaded firearms and narcotics for the purposes of sales.

“Despite trying times, our personnel continues to proactively provide the best public safety possible. A lot of delinquent lifestyles start at a young age and involve drugs, gangs and of course, violence. I’m really proud of our OSS Bureau’s dedication, determination and commitment to keep our community safe,” said Sheriff Villanueva.

OSS provides enforcement aimed at combating the criminal activities of hard-core gangs, while intervening to discourage youth from continuing in gang activities.  

Even in the middle of a pandemic criminal activity does not stop. This year, teams from OSS have arrested 461 suspects for violent crimes, and they have seized 305 firearms and conducted 470 search warrant operations.

Anyone who sees activity that appears to be suspicious or criminal in nature should contact their local sheriff’s station, or remain anonymous and call “Crime Stoppers” at (800) 222-TIPS.

SHERIFF’S COMMENTS – BOS AGENDA ITEM 16 680 380 SIB Staff

SHERIFF’S COMMENTS – BOS AGENDA ITEM 16

SHERIFF’S COMMENTS – BOS Agenda Item 16 on 11/10/2020

Sheriff Alex Villanueva briefly discusses several accomplishements, to correct misinformation that is being shared related to the Board of Supervisors Meeting- Agenda 16.

  • Elimination of ICE in the LASD jails, courthouses, and patrol stations
  • Body Worn Cameras
  • Enactment of a Department anti-click policy
  • AB 2655
  • Record hiring of 1,100 local deputies in one year
  • Diverse Leadership in the Department
  • The depopulation of over 5,000 inmates before COVID-19, to save lives
  • LASD Protecting thousands of peaceful protesters
  • Overtime budget cut by 50%
  • Homeless Outreach Services Team success

Everything we have been doing is about fulfilling the promises of why I took this job and everything is above the board and subject to inspection if anyone in the COC or OIG wants to do their job by all means do it, and all we ask for is for a fair and objective process we don’t want politics to intrude in it. We have a future court date regarding the subpoena issue in my personal office and that has not been resolved yet and once it has been resolved we can talk about that.

In closing, I want to say that I have an open-door policy, and I want to meet with each and every one of you personally. I extend good wishes to Mark Ridley-Thomas at his new job as a City Councilman and I want to encourage everyone to remember what President-Elect Biden said, “Let’s stop demonizing people, let’s start working together, and let’s find solutions together.”

Thank You

Sheriff Alex Villanueva provides facts & info regarding the LA County Board of Supervisors Agenda 16

Sheriff Alex Villanueva provides facts and information regarding the LA County Board of Supervisors Agenda 16 from November 10, 2020. To read the full transcript, please visit https://sheriff33.lasd.org/sheriffs-comments-bos-agenda-item-16/

Posted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Tuesday, November 10, 2020

If you have concerns regarding the above, share your voice.  You may contact your Board of Supervisors at the below:
 County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
Phone: (213) 974-4111
[email protected]

Mark Ridley-Thomas
Supervisor, Second District
Phone: (213) 974-2222
[email protected]

Sheila Kuehl
Supervisor, Third District
Phone: (213) 974-3333
[email protected]

Janice Hahn
Supervisor, Fourth District
Phone: (213) 974-4444
[email protected]

Kathryn Barger – CHAIR
Supervisor, Fifth District
Phone: (213) 974-5555
[email protected]

Not sure who your Supervisor is?  Click Link to Find Out: http://bos.lacounty.gov/About-Us/Board-of-Supervisors