Press Conference

Los Angeles County Sheriff and other Officials Announce Crack Down on Illegal Marijuana Operations 1024 1024 SIB Staff

Los Angeles County Sheriff and other Officials Announce Crack Down on Illegal Marijuana Operations

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and other Officials Announce Crack Down on Illegal Marijuana Operations

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 17, 2022, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD), the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife conducted a joint operation to take down multiple illegal marijuana grows in the Antelope Valley.

Almost a year after the most extensive drug operation in the history of the Sheriff’s Department took place, Sheriff Alex Villanueva returned to let everyone know that the operation continues to this day. In the first four months of 2022, the Marijuana Eradication Team (MET) served 116 marijuana cultivation-related search warrants. One hundred seven people were arrested, 100 were misdemeanors, and seven were felony arrests. Approximately 101,090 marijuana plants were seized, 53 firearms were confiscated, and 14,980 pounds of harvested marijuana were destroyed. 

Continuing in the spring of 2022, LASD narcotics investigators conducted aerial reconnaissance with the California National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. They identified 350 outdoor cultivation sites in the Antelope Valley, down from over 750 locations in 2021. This reduction in cultivation sites is directly related to increased enforcement efforts in the Antelope Valley.

MET investigators served search warrants at 80% of the identified sites and anticipate they will have 100% eradicated by the end of the fall of 2022. Most of these sites are connected to Mexican Cartels, Asian organized crime, and other organized crime groups. These illegal cultivation sites threaten the safety of communities, the environment, and wildlife. The unpermitted water wells being drilled to water the illegal crops affect underground aquifers. 

“We’ve already identified the problems that this causes here in the Antelope Valley. Downstream, illegal cannabis dispensaries in the basin are a source of extreme amounts of violence. You have robberies, you have murders that we’re handling. Other agencies have to handle in the basin, and they’re all tied to the cash trade down in these illegal dispensaries. In fact, illegal dispensaries outnumber the legal one 50 to 1. That will give you the size of the magnitude of the problem that we’re handling right here,” said Sheriff Villanueva.

“Supervisor Barger is thankful to the partners that are gathered here today for their diligent efforts to keep combatting illegal cannabis cultivation. Please know that you can continue to count on Supervisor Barger’s support,” said Helen Chavez on behalf of Supervisor Barger.   

“To any of those who are engaged in the illicit grows, I want you to know that there is a collective effort, and we’re coming after you. You can see, right here in these trailers, where your product is going to end up, and it’s not going to be on our streets. You’ve come after a very sacred thing: our community, you’ve come after our desert, and you’re stealing our water, you’re poisoning our land, and enough is enough! Said Assemblymember for CA 36th District, Tom Lackey.

In July of 2021, the LASD Narcotics investigators created the email address [email protected]. This was done to facilitate and expedite the ability of residents to provide information directly to the detectives investigating marijuana cultivation cases. Detectives strongly encourage the public to use this email address to help eradicate this problem by the fall of 2022.

Press Conference Video

Homicide Detectives ask for the Publics Help in the Murder of Reginald Thompson Sr. 791 1024 SIB Staff

Homicide Detectives ask for the Publics Help in the Murder of Reginald Thompson Sr.

Homicide Detectives and Family Members will ask for the Public’s Help for Information in the Murder of Reginald Thompson Sr.

On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, Homicide Bureau Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) held a press conference 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 Reginald Thompson Sr. The reward is sponsored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Second District.

On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, a little before 9:00 p.m., 34-year-old Reginald Thompson, Sr. was talking to friends in the parking lot of a shopping center, located in the 11400 block of South Vermont Ave., in the southwest corner of Imperial Highway and Vermont Avenue, in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles.  As they were talking, four suspects parked their vehicle on Vermont Avenue just south of the shopping center. The suspects exited a dark-colored sedan, approached and fired several times at Thompson and his friends. Thompson was struck by gunfire and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. The suspects fled the location in the vehicle and headed south on Vermont Ave.

“My son was a father, he was a brother, he was a friend. He was fun, he was loving, and he did not deserve to be tragically struck. This could be anybody standing here, and I don’t want to see other mothers suffer the pain and sorrow that I’ve had to endure from my family. We are devastated and if you saw something, please say something,” said Reginald’s mom, Caren Stephens.

On April 19, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a reward in the amount of $20,000 in exchange for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of those responsible for the death of Reginald.

“I wish to share my heartfelt condolences with the family of Reginald Thompson, Sr. for their tragic loss,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Holly J. Mitchell, author of the motion that established this reward. “I encourage anyone who may have information that could help with this investigation to please come forward so that justice can be achieved for Reginald and his family.”

“My kid’s father was a very loving man. He was a great D.J., an amazing writer, he had a beautiful voice that was out of this world. I pictured my life, my whole future raising my kids with him in it. I never imagined that I would have to lose him so soon,” said a tearful Daysharee Vallier.    

LASD Homicide detectives believe there are witnesses who may have seen the suspects leave the area and/or know their identities. If you have information about Reginald’s murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

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Recent Lawsuit by a Disgruntled Employee 1024 512 SIB Staff

Recent Lawsuit by a Disgruntled Employee

Recent Lawsuit by a Disgruntled Employee

On Tuesday, April 26, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to discuss a recent lawsuit by a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) employee. The Sheriff began with a timeline of events of the investigation related to them that can be viewed below the video under press conference material. 

Sheriff Villanueva reiterated that there was no “cover-up” or a “whistle-blower,” everything was documented from the beginning, and the investigation continued. 

The video of the UOF surrounding the lawsuit was part of an active criminal case when it was shared with the media. Sharing the video was not a leak; it was considered an obstruction of justice since it was part of an investigation. Pictures of three individuals involved in the video distribution were shown: retired LASD Commander Eliezer Vera, Inspector General Max Huntsman, and LA Times reporter Alene Tchekmedyian. 

Sheriff Villanueva concluded by stating that the foundation of the lawsuit in question was false. He shared he and his team are excited to testify on the matter under oath in front of a grand jury in a federal court. He named three command staff members and said he does not use “unnamed” or “multiple sources.”

“We have serious issues to handle out there. We have violent crime, we have homelessness out of control, defunding, and on top of that, I have this circus. This entirely orchestrated for political purposes only,” said Sheriff Villanueva.

When asked by a reporter if the department was investigating Alene from the LA Times, Sheriff Villanueva said the matter was under investigation. He said stolen property was removed illegally from people who had some intent and would be subject to investigation.

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Sheriff Villanueva Discusses Proposed 2022-23 County budget 1024 683 SIB Staff

Sheriff Villanueva Discusses Proposed 2022-23 County budget

Sheriff Villanueva Discusses Proposed 2022-23 County budget

On Wednesday, April 20, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to discuss the implications the proposed 2022 – 23 fiscal year county budget will have on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD). 

During a Board of Supervisors’ (BOS) meeting on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, the BOS unveiled a proposed $38.5 billion LA County budget. A total of four new Los Angeles County Departments were created. $100 million in funds were re-allocated from the Sheriff’s Department to Measure J, and the commitment to close Men’s Central Jail without an alternative plan continues. The budget recommendation includes funding for a total of 513 new positions. However, the LASD hiring freeze will continue, and academy classes are restricted to an unsustainable level. 

The Sheriff emphasized that the minimum number of academy classes to keep up with attrition is eight. Yet, the Sheriff’s Department has only had three academy classes per year for the last two years. During 2020 – 2021, 586 sworn and 695 professional staff positions were eliminated from LASD. The total dollar value of those positions was $139,439,000. Sadly, the 1281 positions have not been returned, and neither has the money. The workload, however, has remained the same for all members of the department. During the past ten years, the LASD budget as a percent of the total County budget was 11.7%. The current budget is at a low of 8.9%.

Sheriff Villanueva also mentioned a motion introduced by Supervisors Mitchell and Solis, attempting to oversee LASD’s participation within the Joint Regional Intelligence Center (JRIC), a federal agency. An excerpt of the motion reads: “…as well as reports of potential abuse by the Sheriff of his investigative powers, including investigations and intimidation of the Sheriff’s political enemies.” 

Sheriff Villanueva added that the Attorney General is responsible for holding Sheriffs and District Attorneys throughout California accountable. The Sheriff noted JRIC conducts intelligence and analysis; they’re not a primary investigative body. As a result of their intelligence gathering, they hand over potential crimes to the appropriate agency to investigate them. Everyone there has a ‘need to know and a right to know.’ 

The Sheriff further stated, “Having a political entity (Board of Supervisors) interject themselves in this operation, they’re only doing it for one purpose. They want to see what they’re possibly criminally involved in and what the investigative entities and the intelligence community view of them. So basically, they’re trying to insert the fox into the hen house”.  Sheriff Villanueva concluded the press conference by asking the community to get involved and contact the Board of Supervisors. Tell them to make public safety a priority. 

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Sheriff is standing behind a podium. Undersheriff Murakami is over the sheriff's shoulder. A TV screen has an image of the METRO board of supervisors on it.
Sheriff MTA announcement 1024 683 SIB Staff

Sheriff MTA announcement

Sheriff Alex Villanueva Makes a Major Announcement Regarding LASD’s MTA Contract Bid

Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to make a significant announcement regarding the Los Angeles Sheriff Department and the MTA. The Sheriff expressed his concern regarding public safety on the Metro Transit System in Los Angeles.

Sheriff Villanueva provided statistical information regarding the increase in crime dating back to September 2020 and highlighted examples of violent assaults that occurred on the railways: two LASD deputies ambushed at the Metro Compton Station in September of 2020; A Metro train operator was shot at the Metro Indiana Gold Line Station while operating the train In January 2021; 4 passengers inside the train were shot by known gang members at the Wilmington Station in September 2021. Lastly, in November 2021, a passenger was fatally shot in the head. The suspect also attempted to kill responding Deputies at the Wilmington station. 

Sheriff Villanueva expressed how the MTA has turned into an unsafe environment, as several critical incidents have occurred this past year alone. In March 2020, a patron was pushed on the tracks at 7th and Metro Station by a homeless person. That patron suffered severe head trauma. February 2022, a homeless man was cut in half after sleeping on the tracks. January 2022, Sandra Shells was attacked and killed at a bus stop near Union Station. Sheriff Alex Villanueva expressed that the various law enforcement agencies covering the railways and bus routes does not provide adequate coverage due to jurisdictional issues and the stifling of enforcement placed upon peace officers by Metro Board regulations.  

Sheriff Villanueva discussed the Metro Board’s policy on private security and the inability to enforce quality of life issues on the metro system. The Sheriff stated, “cops cannot remove an unruly passenger from the trains. This has caused MTA patrons to fear for their safety while onboard the system, and at times, the paying patrons are asked to exit the train. The MTA board only allows the homeless, unruly, drunk, and criminal people on board the trains and buses.” 

LASD has provided law enforcement services for Metro since 1997. The LASD has always had full-time personnel strictly assigned and trained for public transit policing. Currently, LASD deploys 300 deputies assigned to Transit Services Bureau. 

The Metro Board defunded LASD and, in 2017, decided to move to a multi-agency contract with LAPD and Long Beach Police Department. LASD was reduced to the lowest possible staffing levels, which endangered public and rider safety. Metro Board has expressed its desire to shift from armed law enforcement response to nonviolent crimes and code of conduct violations. 

Sheriff Villanueva added the Department intends to bid for the complete Metro Board contract to provide comprehensive law enforcement and public safety services to the entire Bus and railway system. If the bid is denied, LASD personnel will be deployed elsewhere in the county to fulfill staffing vacancies. Sheriff Villanueva further stated, “Effective July 1, 2022, LASD will redeploy our personnel to other critical public safety needs, absent a commitment by the Metro Board upon expiration of the contract.”

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Letter to MTA Board – PDF

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Help us Solve The Murder of Lentrail Hicks 1024 768 SIB Staff

Help us Solve The Murder of Lentrail Hicks

Detectives and Family Members Seek Help from the Public to Solve The Murder of LeNtrail Hicks; Detectives Announce $20K Reward

On Thursday, March 24, 2022, Homicide Bureau Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to announce a $20,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Lentrail Hicks. The reward was sponsored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Second District.

Shortly before noon on November 7, 2020, deputies from the Century Sheriff Station responded to a call at a residence in the area of 66th Street and Compton Avenue, in the Florence-Firestone area of Los Angeles County. Upon arriving at the location, they located Victim Lentrail Hicks suffering from a single stab wound to his abdomen. At that time, Hicks was unable to give deputies any information that would assist them to identify or locate the suspect(s). He was also unable to provide the location of the incident.

On Monday, November 9, 2020, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Investigators were notified that Victim Lentrail Hicks had died from the injuries he sustained on November 7, 2020. 

Upon obtaining and viewing surveillance footage, Investigators observed an incident involving three male Hispanics walking southbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. The male Hispanics included a young boy, approximately 10 to 12 years of age, a male approximately 18 years old wearing all black clothing; and a male approximately 35 years old wearing a black t-shirt with a large white logo on the front, khaki-colored pants and had a ball cap in his hands.  The victim, wearing a white t-shirt, dark colored pants, and a ball cap, walked northbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. The Hispanics and the victim crossed paths on the northwest corner of 68th St. and Compton Ave. It appeared there were words exchanged, but no physical altercation. The victim continued walking northbound on Compton Ave, possibly entering a local business on the block. The group of Hispanic males continued walking southbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. and out of view.  The entire contact took approximately 30 seconds. 

Approximately two minutes later, Investigators observed the victim enter the camera view on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave, near the businesses in the 6700 block of Compton Ave. The victim looks southbound but starts walking northbound.  All of a sudden, a dark colored Prius is seen driving at a high-rate speed northbound Compton Ave in the southbound lanes. The Prius stops in the number 2 southbound lane, just north of 68th Street, parallel to the victim. A male Hispanic, wearing the same black t-shirt with a large white logo on the front and khaki-colored pants from the earlier confrontation with the victim, exited the front passenger door of the Prius.  He walked straight to the victim and began a physical altercation with him on the sidewalk.  It appeared the driver also exited the Prius and confronted the victim.  The altercation spilled out into the lanes of traffic. The two male Hispanics appear to be assaulting the victim, and at one point, the victim attempts to protect himself by kicking at them. During the altercation, the Hispanic male in khaki pants can be seen making a stabbing motion toward the victim. The victim stops and looks down at his shirt.  The second Hispanic male takes a large swing at the victim, who avoids contact by spinning around.  Suddenly, the three males stop fighting. The two male Hispanics get back into the Prius, while the victim is seen walking northbound. The Prius makes a u-turn on Compton Ave, then drives west on 68th Street at a high-rate speed and out of view.

According to the Victim’s mother, Paula Stringer, when Lentrail got home he yelled to her to call 911 because he had just been stabbed. Ms. Stringer called 911 and paramedics performed first aid and lifesaving measures and transported him to St. Francis Medical Center for further treatment. Despite advanced life-saving measures, Victim Hicks ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

“I’m not angry, I’m more hurt than anything. My anger has passed. My son was a lovely father, a devoted brother, a loving son, and he did not deserve this. Whatever was going on out there, please come forward and let us know that Lentrail’s death won’t go in vain,” said Lentrail’s mom.     

If you have information about Lentrail’s murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.

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Family Seeks Public’s Help To Solve The Murder of Otis Rayjon Williams 1024 683 SIB Staff

Family Seeks Public’s Help To Solve The Murder of Otis Rayjon Williams

On Monday, February 9, 2022, Homicide Bureau detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to ask for the public’s help for information leading to the identification of the vehicle and suspect(s) responsible for the murder of Otis Rayjon Williams.

On Friday, July 3, 2020, at approximately 8:30 p.m., 14 year-old Otis Rayjon Williams was shot and killed while walking to a local market listening to music, in an alley south of 98th Street between Central Avenue and Pace Avenue. This tragic incident occurred in the Florence-Firestone area of Los Angeles.

Detectives released video of the incident which shows the suspect vehicle stopped, the suspect’s arm reached out of the driver side window, and attempted to fire at Otis. It appeared the gun malfunctioned, and the suspect cleared the malfunction by racking the slide of the gun. Once cleared, the suspect fired several shots at Otis, striking him in the upper torso. The vehicle fled west on 98th Street, then onto South Central Avenue and out of view.

The suspect vehicle is described as a 2015-2018 blue Dodge Challenger and had no front license plate. At the time of the shooting, the hood, roof and trunk had a broad dark-colored stripe that runs from the front to the back. In addition, it had a dark-colored rear spoiler and an insignia reading “Challenger RT” on the front grill.

Otis was 14 years old and the youngest of 7 siblings. Otis enjoyed playing basketball, listening to music and loved joking with his siblings.

“He was a good boy. He was respectful and he respected all his elders and we just miss him. He was the baby. I have 7 kids and he was the baby of the family. He was my little buddy. I don’t understand how this can happen and why? My main thing is why?…He was just a kid, why would you do that? I’m just hoping the public knows something and comes forward” said Francine Brazil, Otis’ mom.

If you have information about Otis’ senseless murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.

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