Deputy Pepper-Sprayed Man At Courthouse, Falsified Police Report: DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy has been charged with assaulting an inmate with pepper spray at a county courthouse and then falsifying a police report about the incident in 2022, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Thursday.

The 43-year-old deputy, Maria Torres, is charged with one felony count each of assault by a public officer and filing a false report by a police officer, according to the DA's office.

Torres is accused of pepper-spraying the inmate through a gap in the cell door at a courthouse lockup at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center after the inmate would not exit his cell. She's also accused of falsifying a report about her use of force, the DA's office said.

“The alleged actions of Deputy Maria Torres are not only contrary to the values and principles that we uphold in law enforcement, but they also represent a significant breach of trust within our community,” District Attorney Gascón said. “The victim deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the circumstances. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the rights of all individuals are protected and upheld.”

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Internal Criminal Investigation Bureau.

An arraignment date has not yet been set for Torres, whose current status with the sheriff's department was not immediately available.

She could face up to three years and eight months behind bars if convicted as charged, according to the DA's office.

City News Service contributed to this report.