EAST LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirms it’s investigating allegations that deputies in East Los Angeles have harassed the families of young men killed in deputy-involved shootings. The news comes months after Sheriff Alex Villanueva said he transferred deputies out of the same station amid allegations it was run by a clique called the “Banditos.”

RELATED | Motion Empowers Civilian Oversight Board to Root Out Deputy Gangs

“I never did anything to them. They took my son. But every time I’m face to face with them it’s like I’m the bad guy,” said Leah Garcia, whose 18-year-old son Paul Rea was shot and killed during a traffic stop in 2019. 

Garcia’s family walks to the median on South Gerhart Avenue where Rea died every night to pay their respects. She says deputies often show up too, driving by and leering at her family. She says the behavior started the day after Rea was shot.

“We were here the day after having a vigil and I just remember a woman officer laughing at us,” Garcia said. 

On Dia De Los Muertos, she says deputies came by the spot and started taking pictures of her family. The situation escalated and Garcia’s 20-year-old daughter ended up in custody. She spent the night in jail but no charges were ever filed. 

The family of Anthony Vargas, another teenager shot by deputies in East L.A., say they have also been harassed by deputies. Anthony’s aunt, Valery, said she’s tried to record deputies as evidence, but worries reaching into her pocket to pull out her phone could be construed as reaching for a weapon. Instead, she’s installed a dash cam in her car. 

Both families complained to the Civilian Oversight Commission, which is currently looking into the allegations.