![On Jan. 7, 2014, Sheriff Lee Baca announced that he would retire from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department at end of January 2014. [file]](https://www.theavtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Sheriff-Baca-2.jpg)
Under a plea deal with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Baca could receive up to six months in federal prison. Sentencing was scheduled for May 16.
Baca admitted before U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson to lying to investigators in 2013 when he said he was unaware that sheriff’s deputies were going to the home of an FBI agent to confront and threaten her over her involvement in the corruption probe of the department.
Baca was not only aware of the 2011 plan to frighten agent Leah Marx, but specifically told the deputies they “should do everything but put handcuffs” on her, prosecutors contend.
During the hearing, the judge asked Baca if he was pleading guilty “because you are, in fact, guilty.”
Wearing a brown suit decorated with a small sheriff’s department pin, Baca responded, “Yes, your honor.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Fox told the court that Baca had acted “deliberately and with knowledge that the statement was untrue” and knew he was breaking the law.
According to his plea agreement, Baca waived appeal unless Anderson sentences him to more than six months in prison.
The false statements count carries a potential five-year maximum sentence, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.
“This case illustrates that leaders who foster and then try to hide a corrupt culture will be held accountable,” said Eileen Decker, the U.S. attorney in Los Angeles.
Outside court, defense attorney Michael Zweiback read a portion of a statement from Baca, which read in part, “I made a mistake, I accept responsibility and expect to be held accountable.”
He added that Baca “felt it was time to accept responsibility and he didn’t want this cloud to continue to be held over the sheriff’s department. This is a man with a 58-year reputation in law enforcement. He does not deserve prison time.”
Baca declined to answer questions from reporters outside court.
Baca is the latest — and highest-ranking — department official to be enveloped in the corruption scandal stemming from violence in the jail system. Baca, 73, retired in 2014 at the height of the federal probe. He had been sheriff since December 1998.
“I want to be clear that this is not a day of celebration for us,” Decker said. “It is indeed a sad day when the leader of a law enforcement agency fails to honor his oath and instead of upholding justice, decides to obstruct it.”
She also hailed the work being done by new Sheriff Jim McDonnell to overhaul the operation of and culture within the jail system.
“There is a new sheriff,” she said. “He and his team are making reforms, including in the jails.”
McDonnell said the unfolding of the federal investigation and subsequent criminal charges have been trying for the department.
“But most important, I have learned through my personal experience with this proud organization that our deputies and professional staff remain focused and committed to moving forward by continuing to perform their essential public service in a professional and caring manner,” McDonnell said.
Although Baca’s plea is seen as a culmination of the corruption probe, Decker said federal authorities will remain vigilant in their oversight of the department.
Prosecutors on Tuesday entered into an agreement ending a pending case against sheriff’s Deputies Joey Aguiar and Mariano Ramirez. They were convicted of falsifying records documenting the 2009 beating of a handcuffed inmate, but acquitted of a federal civil rights charge and jurors deadlocked on a charge of excessive force. Prosecutors had planned to re-try them, but under the agreement, the excessive force charge will be dismissed, and the deputies will receive prison terms of between 21 and 27 months.
Aguiar and Ramirez were the latest of 21 current and former sheriff’s officials to be tried by federal authorities in connection with the FBI’s multi-year investigation into brutality and other misconduct in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Decker said Baca will represent the 18th conviction in the probe.
The corruption probe previously went only as high as Paul Tanaka, the former undersheriff, who faces trial in March on conspiracy charges for allegedly managing a secret plan in 2011 to “hide” an inmate-turned-informant from FBI handlers during the jails probe.
That inmate, Anthony Brown, was hidden from FBI handlers during a time when federal officials were conducting a probe of alleged deputy violence against prisoners. Brown was booked and re-booked under a series of false names, and was eventually told he had been abandoned by the FBI.
Eight former sheriff’s department officials — including a captain, two lieutenants and two sergeants — were convicted for their roles in the cover-up.
All claimed they had been following orders from superiors in assisting a legitimate investigation into how and why a cell phone had been smuggled into the Men’s Central Jail.
Tanaka and retired captain Tom Carey, who headed an internal investigations unit, were charged in May with the alleged attempt to derail the federal jails probe.
Carey pleaded guilty last year to a charge of lying on the witness stand during the 2014 trial of former Deputy James Sexton, who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for trying to obstruct the jails investigation.
Tanaka’s attorneys, Jerome Haig and H. Dean Steward, issued a statement saying Baca’s plea deal makes the case “all the more interesting,” but they are still prepared to call Baca as a witness during Tanaka’s trial.
“We had planned to call Sheriff Baca as a witness and that continues to be our plan,” according to the attorneys. “His guilty plea changes nothing for our defense. Paul Tanaka has pled not guilty firmly, and we look forward to our day in court.”
In response to the federal probe, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors created the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence, a panel which examined alleged brutality by deputies in the jail. The commission’s scathing report recommended more than 60 reforms. All of them have been enacted, including the creation of the Office of Inspector General.
The county has also agreed to create a Civilian Oversight Commission that will oversee the department. The Board of Supervisors last month approved a process for selecting members of the panel.
George Hofstetter, president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, the union representing sheriff’s deputies, said Baca “deserves punishment” for his actions.
“The plea agreement sends a strong message that no one is above the law,” he said. “There must be zero tolerance for this type of failed leadership. This by no means undermines the dedication and hard work of the more than 9,000 deputy sheriffs who put their lives on the line protecting L.A. County residents.
“With this admission of guilt, the environment that created this type of corruption is out of the department and we begin a new day of restoring confidence and trust,” he said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California — which filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Baca and his top commanders in 2012 over the alleged use of excessive force by jail guards against county jail inmates — applauded today’s action.
“Los Angeles County’s jails have been plagued by unlawful violence for decades,” said Hector Villagra, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California. “Much of the blame for that violence must be shouldered by former Sheriff Lee Baca, who failed to confront this abuse and the horrific conditions inside the jail despite repeated calls for reform by the ACLU SoCal.
“Today, Baca pleaded guilty to making false statements,” Villagra said. “We are heartened to see that those charged with enforcing the law are also expected to obey it, including the former sheriff and his deputies.”
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Stevecuinhell says
I can’t say limpys name because he got a restraining order on me and so did the patrolbacon because I told them their names will be known.Iam out of this craphole av and Cali,I respect the patrol sheriffs position and if you are being honest and not withholding info or lying I and many others pray for the honest law abiding police officials,but the dishonest ones belong in hell for playing God with peoples lives.I my case they had to get a conviction for the stupid dumb idiot who shot himself before he had a target in sight.Like I’ve thought a million times I was in fear for my life and pulled my firearm,I never put my finger in the trigger well because I wasn’t ready to fire but at least I had a target in sight,I didn’t shoot myself.Iam not mad at the cop who shot himself just how his mistake I had to pay for.If the cop doesn’t shoot himself they run our records and see he is a criminal with a conviction relating to what I accuse him of hit and run he was trying to run me off the road numerous times and that never worked its way onto the report.Doj has been notified,The FBI has been notified of operation safe street Lancaster unit,how safe they soot themselves,doesn’t that make you feel safe that operation safe streets can’t keep themselves safe?How safe do you feel Lancaster?
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Stevecuinhell says
I had a road rage incident where someone was trying to run me off the road as an armed guard and upset because I cut him off so he followed me for miles trying to run me off the road,when we’re get to a light he goes to get out of his car and reaches back inside his car for what I thought was a gun and I drew down on this male.He gets back in his car and I act like iam going to pull over and he does pull over and I keep going and I look in my rear view mirror and see cars splitting open for this animal to pass them to catch up to me.We get to ave k and I go east bound and he follows me again so I make a quick u turn to go to the dishonest bacon station and a undercover turns on his lights operation safe streets detective and I feel relieved that its over and pull in the parking lot of the old riders choice on Sierra and north of k and the animal says to the cop in the street he has a gun and before he could get out of the car the cop shoots himself in the leg before getting out of the car detailed in the la times la county sheriifs accidental shootings ,by lasd after switching firearms without a external safety. So i tell the whole storie to a detective who I later find out works at the same station as the cop who shot himself with the same rank,doesn’t turn in his supplemental report where I told him everything including why I had a 380 hand gun as a back up to protect myself because a criminal tried to grab my gun before while making a legal arrest on a man sexually touching a child,if someone grabs my main exposed 357 again iwas going to pull my 380 and shoot them in the face.I told the truth to the point that he knew he couldn’t get a conviction from the statement so they left out key facts and withheld info to get a conviction and six months of extensions for an outstanding discovery for the d.a..The assault with a deadly weapon charge was dropped on my first court date so the bring up criminal threats.My accuser had a long criminal history including hit and run and his was trying to run me off the road,receiving stolen goods,and a gun charge.I was a armed guard on my way to work in uniform licensed to carry a firearm to and from work and while on duty pet California law,the cop doesnt turn in his paperwork,his buddy Detective Keeling shoots himself,and I plead to a 417 none felony so I don’t have to gamble with my life time firearm rights and don’t have to go to state prison for a crime I didn’t commit.So the fat cop got a vacation,the dishonest fat old white detective limpy got away with more dishonesty and feels like God,the criminal goes home and the armed guard who gave the same agency free “fish” criminals already in bracelets for over a decade without a single incident, and never ever issued a speeding ticket never the less a violent crime gets to go to jail.
Why if someone is willing to break their Miranda rights which is the single dumbest thing I could have ever done why isnt it recorded with a video camera,all these bacon bits have cell phones with cameras or better yet doj pull your thumb out for where the sun doesn’t shine and give all police agencies body cameras. That will get the truth out and reverse the way the money is flowing that’s why.LASD as dishonest as can be,LASD as dishonest as can be.
James Williams says
Leroy Bacca held his position for over 40 years,until the feds started investigating his department, and his house of cards began to fall. First came the denial, next was the blaming everyone else, then the sudden retirement to save his pension. Had these charges been filed prior to his retirement, he would have lost it .This is a fact he knew all to well,and so, as any good criminal would do, he took it, and is laughing all the way to bank to the tune of about a million dollars a year or so plus medical for him and his family ,for the rest of his life. Not a bad job for a corrupt cop who will probably not see the inside of any jail or prison. You would get more time for spitting on the sidewalk.This plea deal is a slap in the face to all of us who should expect true justice to be served. Any other Commander would be held accountable for all happenings under his command. This weak slap at the wrist is a sorry attempt at accomplishing any justice. What a farce this is !!!
melody burns says
Sherriff Baca is the same perdon i made the complaint of being striped searched by male officers in broad day light by antellope valley sherriffs, he is also the same person who listened a tape with his sherriff deputies threatening someone and rx perriss mayor of lancaster putting a hit out on street ctiminals and alleged ones. There is no excuse for misconduct whem you took a oath to protect and to serve the public….. No one is perfect. Everyone has committed crimes. Just everyone hasn’t been caught!! Now i dont expect law enforcement to be perfect. But to repeadly ignore misconduct and be involved in it is apples and oranges. Theyre are good deputies and officers,and guess what they cant even do there jobs correctly because the badcops will ridicule them so walk the walk and talk the talk Before anyone is quick to take up for any corrupt law enforcement agencies
Cali Palmdale says
I SAY ALL LACSD AND LAPD AND ANY DEP GO ON STRIKE FOR A WEEK OR TWO AND THEN ALL CAMPLAINERS WILL SEE WHY WEE NEED THEM>>>Why be an officer when all the criminals have more rights than them if they are criminals killers rapist why should they be treated with a soft hand that is insane crazy that’s why we have so much crime.
Tim Scott says
Please. Demonstrate that the thing that keeps most people from committing crimes is THE LAW, not law enforcement. Then, when we FIRE THEM ALL FOR GOING ON STRIKE we can replace them with a reduced number of people who RESPECT the law they are hired to enforce instead of the gang of thugs that we are currently saddled with.
pirrurris says
Tim, agree 100%. We currently have a bunch of thugs with badges and the Chiefs of police are just turning a blind eye.
AVBasher4Life says
Cali Palmdale, what’s it like being a baton polisher? Do you have to wash your mouth afterward? I wish the cops would go on strike. The only people that ever cost me money and caused me grief in the Antelope Valley, were the pigs.
Cali Palmdale says
LOL you guys must have some sort of criminal past you guys just don’t get it I say if the criminals are down to do crimes kill – rape or what ever and then they get caught go to a nice prison compared to other prisons around the world and get free meals free showers watch tv and they still want to be treated like a princess C’on hard core criminals should have no rights. like I say I invite you to go on a few ride along’s with S D in Lancaster they it might open your eyes
AVBasher4Life says
Cali Palmdale, you’re damn straight I have a criminal past and I most likely have a criminal future. And, none of my so called “crimes” are as serious as Baca’s crimes, nor did I take an oath, and get paid, to uphold and obey the law. Isn’t their a baton that needs polishing right now?
pirrurris says
AV, those thugs with badges are costing the tax payers millions of dollars, every year, and no one is being held acoountable.
pirrurris says
Cali, no one is against LA’s finest or Sheriff’s Department…what people are against, are the thugs with badges that think they are above the law. If they don’t like their job, they should get out and make room for the ones that really want to be there.
Cali Palmdale says
pirrurris 100% agree but still if you commit a crime im just saying why would you expect to be treated nice in prison. Ive hear with my ears criminals saying they want a vacation meaning they want to get locked up easy life so there’s many issues there and I know there is bad cops who think they are above the law that don’t deserve to wear a badge.
Tim Scott says
LOL…so how many criminals do you hang out with to be “hearing with your ears” Cali? Not that I’m doubting this incredible statement you are making or anything…
Appalled says
Why should he get to make a deal to take such a short stent when so many went harmed? There are way to many lives that were injured by the actions of this POS and the men and women who served under him. Then to have the audacity to lie about it! Incredible! He should face way more than 6 months!
Pirrurris says
I agree. And i bet this POS still gets to keep his retirement pension.
Michelle Egberts says
Like I’ve said repeatedly on this site… “We are all one bad choice from having a criminal record”. No one is above the law. Mr. Baca will be doing his 6months in a federal facility and will not be eligible for early release nor will he be eligible to expunge his conviction. He may also face restricted travel to other countries because of his conviction. There are more penalties i.e barriers in having a conviction than the general public realize.
Thank you for your service Mr Baca, and I wish you and your family well during this difficult time.
Lyndon Scott says
Best of luck? He and his goons beat and falsely charged people with crimes and all he gets is 6 months in club fed. He obstructed a federal investigation. He should get at least 5 years. He is a thug with a badge
Michelle Egberts says
@Lyndon Scott… I totally understand how you feel as when I was incarcerated in 2011-2012 I saw many violations of rights against my fellow inmates, but that does not mean it came under the direction of Sheriff Baca. The Office of Independent Review initiated the FBI coming in because of the overwhelming complaints and evidence.
Tim Scott says
Overwhelming complaints and evidence which Sheriff Baca chose to do absolutely nothing about…until the feds started to investigate and he tried to stop them. Sorry, I have no sympathy for him whatsoever and wish him nothing but ill.
Michelle Egberts says
@Tim Scott… I’m not trying to defend his miscondut as he had many jail facilities housing over 18,000 inmates per day. I believe he though he could trust his Commander’s and Captain’s to run the facilities within the law. NOt, as I was witness to many abuses at the hands of the jailers who were nothing but rookies. LASD Lancaster and Palmdale are next for the FBI as they try to cover their misconct under the color of law. The question is… how many are going down? Time will tell….
pirrurris says
They should also take his retirement pension away. This POS does not deserve it.
ExAV4Life says
Dirty pig won’t even do the full 6 months. The average citizen will get 6 months for much lesser pizz-ant misdemeanor garbage. The judge probably winked at him during sentencing like the scene in Goodfellas when Henry Hill got busted for stolen cigarettes. I hate cops.
Mike says
Just the Obummer agenda to stop law enforcement from doing Is job so dirtbags can run wild.
Tim Scott says
How far out in left field do you live Mike?
Blaming the president for a corrupt sheriff in Los Angeles is a pretty big reach, even for a delusional paranoid, don’t you think?
pirrurris says
Mike, WTF does Obama have to do with the POS Bacca lying to investigators and covering for his thugs with badges? They LA County Sheriff’s department needs to clean house, starting with their upper leadership.
BillyH says
Hey that’s Rexie’s pal! LOL! Maybe now they’ll investigate Rexie and the Fern Street Mafia! Wouldn’t dat be something! LOL!
Joe says
Dat would be nice! Starting with Frank Visco, Rex, and the countys Tom Shepos.
realitycheck says
Stop the presses! Timmy and I actually agree on something! I too hope they throw the book at Baca.
Wait a second, it was people like Timmy who kept Baca in office for 16+ years, calling him a “progressive” and other lame terms. Meanwhile , Baca ran amok all over the globe, hugging muslims, feeding his own ego, enjoying the pass he received from the lib media, and trying to convince us to drink his jesus juice, leaving LASD and the Tanakaites unattended.
Question Lancaster Authority says
He hugged R. Rex Parris that’s for sure. He was Rex’s bud. Why do you think nothing was investigated in Lancaster? Between Baca and Cooley, Rex had all the protection he needed.
Tim Scott says
If the judge is worth two cents he hits this scum bag with the maximum sentence and says “Go ahead and appeal after your guilty plea, punk.”
Alex vee says
Agree with you Tim Scott 1000 percent. Baca should do ALL his time like so many innocent people he n his corrupt agency has put behind bars!!! I have NO sympathy for his ass n many of those wanna be gangsters that hide behind that shield! It’s our tax money that these thugs have waisted by beating people up, setting people up. When lawsuits fall who pays we ALL do. So with that said Make BACA pay for his mistakes like we ALL do