LA Prison Guard Stole, Then Used Visitors' Credit Cards: DA

LOS ANGELES, CA — A former Los Angeles police officer is accused of stealing credit cards from visitors who passed through the security checkpoint he worked at in the federal prison in downtown Los Angeles, the district attorney announced Wednesday.

The former Los Angeles Police Department officer, Edmond Babaians, 43, is charged with three felony counts and one misdemeanor count of unlawful use of access cards.

Babaians worked in the lobby of the the Metropolitan Detention Center, where he checked visitors for contraband as they entered the facility to visit prisoners. He's accused of stealing debit and credit cards from four people as they passed through the security checkpoint in July 2023 and later made several purchases with the stolen cards, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.

“Law enforcement is entrusted with protecting and serving the community, and the alleged actions of former officer Babaians in the course of his duties severely breaches this trust,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “Officers of the law are expected to embody the highest standards of integrity and duty when they protect the residents of Los Angeles County. Departure from these rigorous standards undermines the public’s trust in law enforcement and will not be tolerated. My office is pursuing all measures to ensure that the former officer is held accountable.”

The DA's office described Babaians as a 15-year veteran of the LAPD but noted he is no longer employed by the department.

Babaians is due in court for his arraignment Friday. His bail was set at $20,000.

If convicted as charged, Babaians faces a maximum sentence of five years and four months in county jail, according to the DA's office.