Los Angeles, CA – Several law enforcement officials say at least 8 Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies have been dismissed of duty amid a federal probe into a 7-Eleven parking lot beating of a transgender man last year.
Last Thursday, nearly two years after the event, Deputy Joseph Benza III pleaded guilty to one felony civil rights violation in federal court. Benza admitted to lying to the FBI and said that many deputies and sergeants helped hinder the investigation and cover up the misbehavior in his plea agreement.
After confirming Benza’s dismissal on Dec. 18, the LASD announced the dismissal of “multiple” more deputies the following day.
Half a dozen sources informed The Times that eight personnel, including many sergeants, were laid off by the sheriff’s department. The sources sought anonymity since they were not allowed to talk.
A U.S. Department of Justice spokeswoman told The Times that Benza, 36, appeared in federal court last week and was freed on $50,000 bond.
Benza is scheduled to plead guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law on Jan. 17, which carries a 10-year federal prison sentence.
Tom Yu, his attorney, told The Times that he backed his client’s accountability and would request probation.
The federal case began on Feb. 10, 2023. Emmett Brock, 23, was leaving his high school teaching job that morning when he saw a deputy having a heated confrontation with a woman on the road.
Brock told The Times he threw up his middle finger as he drove by, hoping the deputy wouldn’t see it. He stated a cop cruiser followed him without lights or sirens a few seconds later, duplicating his every turn.
In court files this week, prosecutors said Benza left a domestic disturbance call after Brock flipped him off. Prosecutors said Benza contacted another deputy and threatened to use force to stop someone who had flipped him off.
According to his plea bargain, Benza was directed to delete the real reason he started following Brock from the incident report when he asked numerous sergeants.
The deputy said that Brock was “about to throw a punch,” but Benza hit first. The deputy reported that Brock “attempted to rip my skin from my hand” by biting him during the struggle. However, scene and hospital reports did not mention biting marks.
Benza admits lying in his plea deal. He stated a sergeant prepared “substantive portions” of the report for him.
The FBI is still investigating, authorities confirmed last week.