Posts Tagged :

2022

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

hundreds of people are standing at a starting line, the paved course is lined by large tall trees, all the people are dressed in running shirts, shorts and shoes.
Los Angeles Superhero 5K Run and Walk Health & Safety Expo 1024 742 SIB Staff

Los Angeles Superhero 5K Run and Walk Health & Safety Expo

Los Angeles Superhero 5K Run and Walk Health & Safety Expo

On April 2, Sheriff Villanueva and countless joined Crime Survivors in the Los Angeles Superhero 5K Run and Walk Health & Safety Expo. Congratulations to Patricia Wenskunas, Crime Survivors, Sheriff’s Special Victims Bureau, and all the organizers on a successful event. Together we can keep helping raise awareness, prevention, advocacy, and healing throughout Los Angeles County.

We are better and stronger together! Survive & Thrive!!!

Thank you to all the Sheriff’s Department personnel and the Sheriff’s Community Advisory Council who participated in this great event.

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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image of award recipeints standing next to the sheriff. Two pastors and the sheriff is next to a podium.
Sheriff awards two Pastors for community Support 1024 794 SIB Staff

Sheriff awards two Pastors for community Support

Sheriff awards two Pastors for community Support

This morning, Sheriff Alex Villanueva recognized Pastor Marvin Rodriguez from “City of Refuge” and Pastor Eric Tietze from “Heart of Compassion Ministry” for their dedication to assist the community and improve their quality of life.

Pastor Rodriguez recruits at-risk children within the city of Pico Rivera and outlying areas into his boxing organization, “Marvin Nation” where he provides them with free lessons, life skills, and a strict moral compass. In 2020, he joined the CAC and had since donated 25,000 boxes of food since the onset of the pandemic.

Pastor Tietze tirelessly serves the Los Angeles County community and his ministry. Over the past three years, Pastor Eric has donated over 40 million pounds of food to community members in need.

Pastors Rodriguez and Tietze were awarded for their humanitarian efforts in feeding thousands of families in need throughout Los Angeles County. 

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.

Press Conference Video LINK

Press Conference Material

Power Point Slides – PDF

Investigation Timeline – PDF

Timeline Memo – PDF

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. 

Press Conference Video

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Slides – PDF

deputy is walking out of a business door holding two paper bags full of confiscated drugs.
Multilocation search warrant in operation 4-20 960 952 SIB Staff

Multilocation search warrant in operation 4-20

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Bureau Serves Multi-Location Search Warrant in Operation 4-20

Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Narcotics Bureau, executed search warrants in furtherance of an investigation based on information from citizen informants regarding a multi-location illegal cannabis dispensary.
 
During the last few days, detectives served search warrants at nineteen different locations within the Unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County (East Los Angeles, Florence-Firestone and Walnut Park).  Approximately ninety people were arrested and a dozen firearms, including an assault rifle and a ghost gun were recovered.
 
According to Narcotics Bureau Acting Captain Lieutenant Anthony Eastern, detectives recovered 1,000 pounds of cannabis concentrate, 800 pounds of cannabis flower, a large amount of methamphetamine and thousands of dollars in U.S currency.
 
These operations have been conducted since October 2021 to eradicate illegal marijuana dispensaries operating within the aforementioned areas.  Since October 2021, over 122 search warrants have been executed, over 277 arrests made and approximately 4,000 pounds of marijuana, 3,300 pounds of marihuana edibles, 29 pounds of mushrooms and 1,000 pounds of fentanyl have been seized.
 
These operations are a testament to the hard work of the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Alex Villanueva’s commitment to keeping communities safe by eradicating illegal marijuana dispensaries.
 
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 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.
LASD Undersheriff Robert Allen Edmonds 1024 249 SIB Staff

LASD Undersheriff Robert Allen Edmonds

Today, we were deeply saddened to hear former LASD Undersheriff Robert Allen Edmonds passed away.  He was “recruited” to the Department by a Lennox Station Detective when Edmonds, an Assistant Manager for Safeway at the time, went to report bad checks received.

He became a Deputy after graduating from class #87 in 1961. Throughout his career, Robert steadily rose up through the ranks as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Commander, Assistant Sheriff and ultimately, Undersheriff in 1987. Robert Allen Edmonds worked during the Watts Riots, the Cerritos air crash, the 1984 Olympics, and several other large scale incidents.  He was known for bolstering the Sheriff’s Department explorer program, operations planning for large scale disasters and events, as well as overseeing the department’s transition from paper logs to the first digitized computer system.

After 32 years in the Sheriff’s Department, Undersheriff Robert Allen Edmonds retired in 1994. He was a true leader who inspired and motivated others to strive for the best when serving the community. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has suffered a great loss and he will be greatly missed.

Image of an A-frame sign with big black letters that read "Sheriff training in progress". The sign in the lower left side of the frame. The sign is infront of a college walk path.
LASD Active Shooter Training at Pierce College 1024 543 SIB Staff

LASD Active Shooter Training at Pierce College

Sheriff’s Department’s Community College Bureau Coordinates Active Shooter Exercise at Pierce College

The fundamental duty of all sworn personnel is to protect life and property. As part of a commitment to the safety and wellbeing of students and staff it is essential to provide ongoing training to ensure deputies, security officers, and responding outside agencies are proficient in handling tactical incidents, with officer and public safety as the primary goal. 

On Thursday, April 7, 2022, personnel from Community College Bureau, Special Enforcement Bureau, Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, Emergency Operations Bureau, the countywide Services K9 team, Mental Evaluation Team, Aero Bureau and the Los Angeles City Fire Department gathered to conduct an active shooter drill at Pierce College in Winnetka California. With the opportunity to train together and practice their skills and tactics. First responders practiced planning for and handling situations involving “active shooters” and/or mass violence at locations with multiple victims. 


Community College Bureau provides contract law enforcement services to nine community colleges on campuses across Los Angeles County and the drill, which was held during spring break, was the largest multi-agency exercise conducted yet by the Community College Bureau after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.  They incorporated simulated gunfire with firearms and improvised explosive devices to create a real-life feel. Role players acted as patients in the scenarios; law enforcement worked together to locate the agitators, secure the campus, locate victims, and assist those in need of medical assistance; and fire rescue personnel assisted in coordinating patient care.

Captain John Gannon, who oversees the Community College Bureau, attended the training exercise and said, “The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department prioritizes the safety of students and staff at all Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) campuses.” “Emergency preparedness and campus safety requires an ongoing training preparing our personnel for emergencies. The ability of a department our size to provide specialized resources and rapid deployment teams further supports the College Bureau’s commitment to keep students and faculty safe.”

The day’s event was a meaningful, insightful and impactful training exercise for first responders, faculty and students, alike. One added benefit is the mental review and rehearsal of events by the students and faculty who, as civilians, would not normally receive this type of training. Their new understanding and preparedness will likely be shared with others, guide them in the event of an active shooter and help keep them calm. First responders from three different agencies learned to work together even more fluidly during a stressful situation to uphold the same priority: Keep everyone safe.

backlit picture of a child looking throgh a window with her hands on blinds, peering out.
Child Abuse Awareness Month 900 900 SIB Staff

Child Abuse Awareness Month

April is National Child Abuse Awareness month.

As a result, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Victims Bureau (SVB) kicked off its annual Child Abuse Awareness Fundraising Drive on April 1st, the “999 For Kids” Program.  Each Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Station or Unit is responsible for its own fundraising efforts.  The proceeds collected go toward the program and is used to benefit children under the supervision of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Specialized Medical Placement and Deaf Services Units.  These children are victims of the most severe cases of child abuse, neglect, and/or domestic violence.

The men and women of Special Victims Bureau are committed to partnering with the community they serve. The primary hope is to protect the children of abuse.  Special Victims Bureau shares a strong partnership with the community. The Bureau has a long history of involvement with public and private organizations. In the public arena, SVB works in concert with the Department of Children and Family Services, the Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, the Department of Mental Health, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, just to name a few.

SVB shares exceptional relationships with Stuart House (Santa Monica), the Rape Treatment Center (Santa Monica), internet service providers, Crime Survivors, Crime Stoppers, Project Sister, and several Children Advocacy Centers in Los Angeles County. It is through these committed partnerships that SVB has been able to increase their outreach to the communities we serve.

Endangering the health and welfare of a child, neglecting basic needs, physically assaulting, or sexually molesting a child are considered child abuse. If you see or suspect child abuse, call your local Sheriff’s Station or police department or the Department of Children and Family Services Child Protection Hotline 800-540-4000 (toll-free within California).