LOS ANGELES — Sheriff Alex Villanueva saw footage of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy kneeling on the head of a handcuffed inmate days after the March 2021 incident, according to a new lawsuit filed by Cmdr. Allen Castellano.
What You Need To Know
- Villanueva has insisted he did not see the video until November 2021, when he immediately ordered a criminal probe and the deputy to be relieved of duty
- Multiple whistleblowers have claimed Villanueva blocked the filing of assault charges against Escalante, the inmate, for punching the deputy
- The use of force investigation against Johnson has been referred to the District Attorney’s office for consideration, Villanueva has said
- At a press conference last month, Villanueva conceded a criminal investigation should have been started immediately
Castellano’s account of the incident and alleged cover up contradicts claims by Villanueva that he immediately ordered a criminal probe into the deputy once he became aware of the incident.
Leaked footage from the San Fernando Courthouse on March 10, 2021, appears to show Deputy Douglas Johnson pressing his knee on the head of handcuffed inmate Enzo Escalante for three minutes. The altercation began when Escalante allegedly punched Johnson in the face. Johnson and other deputies wrestled Escalante to the ground, with Johnson putting his knee on the inmate’s head.
At a news conference last month, Villanueva conceded a criminal investigation should have been started immediately, concurrent with an administrative probe. He has insisted he did not see the video until November 2021, when he immediately ordered a criminal probe and Johnson to be relieved of duty.
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Castellano alleges he had immediate, serious concerns the use of force put Escalante’s life at risk and was similar to the maneuver used by Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin in the 2020 murder of George Floyd. Castellano claims he and his supervisor asked Assistant Sheriff Robin Limon to show the video to Villanueva on the day the incident occurred.
The lawsuit claims Limon took a copy of the video on DVD and played it for Villanueva, Undersheriff Timothy Murakami and Lt. Anthony Blanchard on or around March 15, 2021. Villanueva allegedly told Limon he would “handle the matter” and that “we (LASD) do not need bad media at this time.”
Multiple whistleblowers, including sheriff’s candidate Eli Vera, have claimed Villanueva blocked the filing of assault charges against Escalante, the inmate, for punching the deputy to keep the video from becoming public.
Johnson is one of eight deputies accused of taking invasive photos of the helicopter crash that killed Kobe Bryant and eight others in 2020.
The use of force investigation against Johnson has been referred to the District Attorney’s office for consideration, Villanueva has said.