Angel Raul Reinosa — who was a rookie deputy when he reported being shot last August — was charged Jan. 16 with two felony counts of insurance fraud and one misdemeanor count of filing a false police report.
“He strongly denies the allegations made against him,” Reinosa’s attorney, Dmitry Gorin, said in a written statement. “The defense intends to demonstrate reasonable doubt that any crime was committed. There is evidence in the police investigation contrary to the position of the government. We expect that testimony in court will demonstrate that Mr. Reinosa lacked criminal intent. We hope everyone can keep an open mind before all evidence is presented.”
After an earlier court appearance, Gorin said his client believed “strongly that he was shot” and said he understood that his 21-year-old client received “extensive medical treatment at the hospital.”
Reinosa reported that he was shot in the shoulder while standing in the parking lot of the Lancaster sheriff’s station in the 500 block of West Lancaster Boulevard about 2:50 p.m. Aug. 21. The reported ambush triggered the establishment of a massive containment perimeter and an exhaustive, hours-long search of a four-story apartment complex from which Reinosa claimed the shot had been fired.
A nearby school was also placed on lockdown as dozens of SWAT deputies descended on the scene via helicopter and armored vehicles. The search of the building and surrounding area continued until roughly 5:30 a.m. the following day.
On Aug. 24, Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced that the shooting report turned out to be a hoax, and that Reinosa was no longer a member of the department.
Sheriff’s officials told reporters that several things did not add up in Reinosa’s story: no bullets were recovered in the parking lot, no cars were struck by gunfire and many people in the vicinity did not hear any gunshots.
“As sheriff, I am responsible for my deputies and am embarrassed and incredibly disappointed at what this deputy did,” Villanueva said at the time. “I apologize to our community and our elected officials who rallied in our support. During the investigation, we had suspicions concerning the validity of the claimed assault, but had to exercise care before accusing an employee of making false statements.”
Reinosa was arrested Jan. 16 in Sylmar during a traffic stop by Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives and released on bond early the next morning.
He is due back at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse April 27, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to allow the case against him to proceed to trial.
Reinosa could face up to 5 1/2 years in jail if convicted as charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Previous related stories:
Ex-deputy accused of bogus shooting claim makes 1st court appearance
Ex-deputy arrested for Lancaster sniper hoax
Sheriff: Deputy who claimed he was shot “no longer employed” by department
Lancaster deputy “fabricated” claim that he was shot
Deputies recover pellet rifle during search for Lancaster shooting suspect
Deputy wounded in ambush outside Lancaster Sheriff’s Station
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Question Lancaster Authority says
When is Rex going to be held accountable for lying about the shooting, creating a panic, and blaming the mentally ill for this? Will the people who had their apartments searched and invaded sue Rex? Will Rex ‘repent’?
Despicable says
“Reinosa could face up to 5 1/2 years…”
And after Reinosa serves three years, the LACSD will probably rehire and promote him to detective.
Alby says
Yeah, and he’ll spend alot of time detecting stuff underneath womans skirts….. God, I wish I had his job…. J.K…. Im not like that……. Unless it was Alexis! HooooWeeeeeeeeee!!!! Lofl jk… But……………….
Alby says
……… No more texting heavy and drinking on a thaturday night……… Or the other way around… Ahhhh!!!!!
Alexis says
Because I’m attractive to most men; just going by what men tell me, I remove the temptation by wearing long pants, and wear modest tops. Keep on keeping on, Alby.
Modelovirus says
That tells a lot. You could be 600 pounds, bald, toothless with a peg leg and a wandering eye and still be attractive to most men, just look at couples shopping at any wal-mart.
Alby says
Peg leg? Wandering eye? Now your you’re talkin.
Alexis says
Nothing wrong with a 600 lb., bald, toothless, peg-legged woman with a wandering eye. It’s all in the eye of the beholder.
surfside 6 says
When then LAPD Chief Darryl Gates conceived the world’s first SWAT units over 50 years ago, SWAT was an incredibly impressive and highly effective crime suppression force. And anytime SWAT was dispatched to correct a problem, criminals complied! But in the last few years, SWAT has been run around and humiliated like the silent screen era Keystone cops! Manipulated, abused and humiliated by every 9-1-1 fraudster and Keg party practical joker in the country. And now, with this extraordinary case, looks like even their own guys have begun to stick it to them as well.
Alby says
… but comparing LAPD officers to lancaster cops is like comparing caviar and champagne to turd and toilet water. lancaster cops are ignorant wannabes just like the scumbags of lancaster act like wannabe gangsters. I think they watch too much tv and should choose a different hobby but they keep eachother in business so that their higher-ups believe that theyre busy… as if the higher-ups dont smell or let alone see the B.S. from far away. Its pathetic. My own home town that I was born in is pathetic! no matter what I try to do to make my world less pathetic, a stupid wannabe gangster hobo or an idiot lancaster badge wearing prick will always be around to remind me what a low-life and potentially dangerous scumbag joke this town is quikly turning into. Nevertheless, Others and I still choose to help try to Make Lancaster Great Again… long [removed] ways to go.
Alby says
Despite the beatifications………………….
Alby says
I meant to say, “regardless of psuedo beautifications”…….. There… I’m done drinkin… For now….
Hoax says
“The reported ambush triggered the establishment of a massive containment perimeter and an exhaustive, hours-long search of a four-story apartment complex…”
I think pocho should be billed for the police operation.