Another police officer So.cal convicted after Rampart corruption scandal
By Michael Webster: Investigative journalist May 7, 2008 24:00 CET
U.S. Department of Justice indicates that the former police officer Joseph Ferguson in Long Beach was sentenced in federal court Los Angeles, California, for his role in a series of flights home invasion over two years have been related to the LAPD following the Rampart corruption scandal in 1999. Ferguson was sentenced to 97 months imprisonment and four years probation.
January 30, 2008, a jury Los Angeles has convicted the defendant of conspiring to violate civil rights, conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute narcotics and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. The defendant's brother and co-accused, a former police officer William Ferguson Los Angeles, also was convicted of deprivation of rights under color of law and various weapons arson and shall be sentenced May 19, 2008.
As reported previously by this reporter the evidence at trial showed that defendant and his co-defendants were members of a large criminal conspiracy, headed by former police officer Ruben Palomares and including LA Enforcement of drug traffickers and other. Together, they committed more than 40 burglaries and robberies throughout the Los Angeles area between early 1999 and June 2001. The flights were generally committed after the group received information that a particular location, are involved in drug trafficking. The robbery teams usually consisted of multiple police in uniform or displaying a distinctive sworn police officer, who would have access to the residence informing the occupants that they were violence, threat or sexual assault during the search. These brutal attacks include firing stun gun at a white victim, striking victims with batons and putting a pistol into the mouth of the victims. After those inside and outside the police have donated medicines, they would use co-conspirators to sell the drug and share profits within the group.
In total, 17 defendants, including officers from the Los Angeles Police Department, the Police Service of Long Beach, Sheriff's Department Angeles County and California Department of Corrections have been previously convicted or pleaded guilty to federal crimes under the plots.
"This former police officer violated his oath as a public official when, with his co-defendants, began to behave in a violent criminal, "said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "Although the majority of most police officers perform their difficult duties in a professional manner, the Department of Justice will not hesitate to prosecute those who cross that line. "
During the conspiracy, Palomares always associated with LAPD official insignia, uniforms, radios, firearms and other equipment. Some of these thefts have been committed after the thieves have taken place in official LAPD police black and white patrol cars. The thieves used the team to Los Angeles police to believe that the victims have been of legitimate law enforcement operations and minimize the risk of the accused to wonder if the face of law enforcement.
The act indictment alleges a series of incidents in which the assault team stormed the houses and commercial establishments to obtain drugs, money, weapons and other valuables. Palomares was involved in all cases, with the Fergusons and Loaiza participating in many of them. In flight, members of the gang allegedly stole 600 pounds of marijuana. In another incident, several co-conspirators allegedly stole TV from an 18-wheel truck in Montebello. And, in another robbery outside a Fontana market, Palomares and another man police dressed man robbed a $ 45,000 tablets of pseudoephedrine, which are the main precursors in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
The other three defendants named in the indictment are fugitives at this time. They are:
– Michelle Barajas, 38, of Paramount;
– Armando Contreras-Lopez, 35, of Paramount, and
– Oscar Loaiza, 35, of Montebello, who is a cousin of Palomares.
These three defendants are accused, and three law enforcement defendants, of conspiracy to violate civil rights and conspiracy to possess marijuana and cocaine with intent distribute narcotics.
"The depth of corruption and audacity among these officers is nothing less than remarkable," said U. S. Attorney Debra Wong Yang. "Despite bearing a badge of some power of a law enforcement officer, but also gives a great responsibility. In addition to rejecting their responsibilities to the law, officials rejected their sacred responsibilities to their communities and their departments. "
"These defendants, who had sworn to serve and protect the people Los Angeles has moved from law enforcement to violate the law" said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. "While the vast majority of police officers exercise their difficult duties in a professional manner, the Department of Justice will not hesitate to prosecute those who cross that line. "
"This case exposed a dark world of corrupt police officers who defiled their badges and compromised the good work of their colleagues," said U.S. U.S. Attorney Thomas P. O'Brien. "The burglary thefts committed by these former officers shocks the conscience and will lead to long terms of imprisonment as deserved. "
"The reality is that no police department is immune from bad cops," said Chief the Los Angeles Police Department William J. Bratton. "I have no tolerance for intentional misconduct and deal with force and aggression. Supervision, safeguards and civilian oversight are used to monitor employees and ensure quality police service. No good cop wants to work with a bad cop. No good cop wants a bad cop in their department. Today's announcement shows that have pledged to get rid of those who tarnish the badge of the police Los Angeles. "
Long Beach Police Chief Anthony Batts said: "When a police officer violates the laws he has sworn to uphold, it erodes the public confidence in the work so difficult law enforcement to build. Men's and Women's Beach Police Department Long are very proud of their work and are fully committed to the safety of our community. Reckless actions of individuals who threaten the integrity of this department and confidence damage public is not tolerated. "
An indictment contains allegations that the accused committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
– Ruben Palomares, 36, of Diamond Bar, he was arrested for drug charges Federal in 2001 and was completed by the LAPD in 2003;
– Gabriel Loaiza, 30, of Montebello, who trained law enforcement and unsuccessfully sought to be a sworn employee of the police department in Long Beach in 2000, was arrested with Palomares 2001;
– Jesse Moya, 29 years, from Whittier, who was a police officer in Los Angeles until the end of 2004;
– Manuel Hernandez, 25, of Pico Rivera, who is a cousin of Palomares;
– Alvin Moon, 30, of San Gabriel, who also received law enforcement training and unsuccessfully applied to Los Angeles police, was arrested Palomares and Gabriel Loaiza with in 2001;
– 25 Manny Martinez Godinez,;
Jessica Treat, 31, of Whittier -;
when he was a navigator and LAPD Explorer has unsuccessfully applied to the ministry in 2000;
– Jesus Estrada Dominguez, 40;
– Pablo Estrada, 29, of La Puente, a friend of Gabriel Loaiza;
– Juan Pablo Mendoza, 29, of Muscoy, a cousin of Palomares; and
– David Barajas, 32, of Paramount, a longtime friend of Palomares who is currently custody for drug smuggling independent.
"The FBI public corruption a top priority for the criminal proceedings, and this case illustrates that commitment. Investigators and detectives tirelessly pursued a small number of law enforcement in the betrayal of their sworn duty to serve the public, have used their badges and guns as instruments of terror and personal gain, "said Salvador Hernandez, assistant director in charge of the FBI Los Angeles. "The FBI, with its partners in law enforcement, will continue to eliminate the small percentage of sworn personnel that act outside the law."
This case was investigated by Special Agent Phil Carson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the help Steve Sambar, Roger Mora and Mark Bigel Los Angeles and Long Beach police. This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney USM Douglas Miller of Los Angeles and the Department of Trial Attorneys Judge Jeffrey S. Blumberg and Joshua D. Mahan.
The Civil Rights Division is committed to strict enforcement of federal criminal statutes civil rights, such as laws prohibiting acts of willful misconduct by law enforcement. During fiscal 2007, the Division of defendants sentenced most of its history, surpassing the record set in 2006.
The Department of Justice has developed an important document in criminal proceedings for lack of enforcement of civil rights in the last seven years. Over the past seven years, the Criminal Section obtained convictions of the accused, 53 percent (391 against 256) in the color of law cases over the past seven years.
Related article: Los Angeles, Long Beach and other officers convicted of theft home invasions and drug trafficking
PBS – frontline: LAPD blues: the scandal: rampart scandal Rampart Scandal calendar – Wikipedia, Encyclopedia
SOURCE
U.S. Department of Justice
LAPD
LBPD
LA Times
Laguna Journal
El Salvador, Laguna el Jocotal, San Miguel
|
|
Caballero a La Medida [VHS] $9.98 Cantinflas works as a model of tuxedos for a prestigious store. He just has to wander around in the streets…. |
|
|
El Signo De La Muerte [VHS] $8.99 … |
|
|
El Sube Y Baja [VHS] $9.98 … |
|
|
La Vida Loca: Locked to the Streets – Life of the Maras $3.99 Studio: Laguna Productions Inc Release Date: 03/23/2010… |
|
|
El Jardinero $2.02 … |
|
|
La Mataviejitas $0.91 Studio: Laguna Productions Inc Release Date: 08/08/2006… |
|
|
Laguna Maravilla by Salvador Dali Eau De Parfum Spray 3.4 oz $45.00 The Laguna Maravilla by Salvador Dali was launched in 2010 for women. It is a deviation to the original Laguna Perfume. The dainties appreciated the refurbished fragrance with its energizing powdery feel. The top notes are highly activating with the citrus influence of bergamot mandarin orange and amalfi lemon. The heart is a bouquet of jasmine and rose completed with cyclamen. The musky base empo… |
|
|
New – LAGUNA by Salvador Dali EDT SPRAY 3.4 OZ – 117033 $27.31 Launched by the design house of Salvador Dali in 1991, LAGUNA by Salvador Dali for Women posesses a blend of: light florals and soft exotic fresh oriental spices. It is recommended for daytime wear…. |
|
|
New – LAGUNA by Salvador Dali – Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 oz – 418010 $32.99 SALVADOR DALI created LAGUNA in 1991. It is the result of the following top fragrance Notes: mandarin, peach and lemon. The middle notes are: rosewood, orris and lily of the valley and the base of the fragrance is: vanilla, amber and musk. LAGUNA is recommended for casual use. peach and lemon. The middle notes are: rosewood… |
|
|
LAGUNA by Salvador Dali EDT SPRAY 1 OZ $26.00 Launched by the design house of Salvador Dali in 1991, LAGUNA by Salvador Dali for WOMEN posesses a blend of: light florals and soft exotic fresh oriental spices. It is recommended for daytime wear…. |
Comments on this entry are closed.