Lethal Force Case In Riverside County Leads To $13.1M Award For Family

CATHEDRAL CITY, CA — The family of a mentally ill Cathedral City man who stabbed a Riverside County sheriff's deputy, prompting the lawman to fatally shoot him in the back, was awarded $13.1 million at the end of a civil trial against the county, it was announced Monday.

Logina Perez Monroy and David Monroy, parents of Jeffrey Alexander Monroy, filed suit claiming federal civil rights violations in connection with the death of their 33-year-old son, as well as other factors warranting compensatory awards.

Following a nine-day trial that ended Thursday at U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, jurors returned with the high-dollar findings in favor of the plaintiffs, whose attorneys characterized it as the "largest ever excessive use of force" verdict against the county.

It was not immediately clear whether the defendants intended to appeal.

"There is no excuse for shooting Mr. Monroy multiple times in the back when he was no threat at all to the deputy," plaintiffs attorney Houman Sayaghi said. "Thankfully, the jury saw the truth and came to the right conclusion and held law enforcement accountable for its egregious actions."

Attorney Kaveh Navab said it was an "honor and privilege" to represent the plaintiffs.

"Nothing can ever replace what they lost, but this verdict represents justice and accountability," Navab said.

Though the county was the principal target of the suit, Sheriff Chad Bianco and the deputy who fired the fatal shots, Corporal Ruben Perez, were also named.

The defendants submitted an answer to the civil complaint in 2021 stating they unequivocally denied "all liability or wrongdoing," questioning the "legal conclusions and arguments" submitted by the plaintiffs.

According to the complaint, the deadly shooting occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 7, 2020, while Monroy was working for his father's pool service company, providing assistance with repairs to a pool in the 70800 block of Tamarisk Lane in Rancho Mirage.

Monroy became agitated and walked away from the job site, calling his brother, Will Monroy, to retrieve him so he could go home, the plaintiffs said.

A resident on the block thought Monroy appeared suspicious due to his bandana and dark clothing, leading the party to call 911 to report a possible troublemaker, the attorneys said.

Perez and Will Monroy arrived at the same time minutes later, and Perez attempted to question the agitated man, who did not want to answer him. When the lawman tried to detain Jeffrey Monroy, a struggle ensued, and Monroy pulled a screwdriver, stabbing the deputy multiple times, including in the neck, according to court papers.

Will Monroy attempted to intervene, physically separating his brother from the deputy and "pulling him 20 feet away from the confrontation," according to the plaintiffs.

"Corporal Perez suddenly and without warning or verbal command, unjustifiably shot the unarmed Jeffrey in the back multiple times, resulting in his tragic and untimely death at the scene shortly thereafter," the plaintiffs said.

Will Monroy was not hurt.

Perez was taken to a Coachella Valley hospital, where he was treated and ultimately recovered.

The plaintiffs argued that the confrontation was already in the process of de-escalation when the deputy opened fire.

The sheriff's department is among the most sued agencies in Riverside County, resulting in seven-figure payouts or settlements.

Perez's work status could not be confirmed Monday.