Two Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies pleaded not guilty on Monday to allegations of filing a false incident report in a 2018 assault case.
Prosecutors said the report was used to cover up an alleged use of excessive force by one of the deputies, 39-year-old Woodrow Kim, while conducting an arrest.
Kim was charged in August with one felony count each of filing a false report and assault under the color of authority. Another deputy, Jonathan Miramontes, 30, was charged with one felony count of filing a false report in connection with the same arrest.
On Sept. 19, 2018, the deputies responded to a report of assault with a deadly weapon by one or more occupants of a black BMW in East Los Angeles. Kim and Miramontes reportedly pursued the BMW for a short period, with the chase ending in the area of Ruben Salazar Park.
One of the BMW's occupants reportedly exited the vehicle and attempted to flee the area on foot. The deputies pursued the suspect in their patrol vehicle. According to prosecutors, Kim suddenly opened the driver's side door, knocking the suspect to the ground.
Both defendants were accused of lying in their reports about the events of that day.
"There is no place in law enforcement for officers who use illegal force and then lie to cover up their crime or the crime of another officer," L.A. District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement immediately after the deputies were charged.
An attorney for Kim characterized the case as an "absolute political spectacle" orchestrated by the D.A.'s office.
"This is George Gascón following through on campaign promises he made," he said. "When he promised voters he was going to prosecute cops, this is what he's doing on following through on that promise without any consideration to what is the just or right thing to do."
In addition to facing criminal charges, but deputies were named as one of 47 L.A. County Sheriff's Department officials alleged to participate in a so-called deputy gang known as the Banditos. The group has been accused of harassing colleagues, creating a hostile work environment and planting evidence on suspects.
L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has been locked in a contentious battle with the County Board of Supervisors and Citizens Oversight Committee regarding attempts to investigate deputy subgroups like the Banditos.
Kim has been suspended from the sheriff's department without pay, according to his defense team. Miramontes' status with the department is not presently known. KNX has reached out to LASD and will update this story with additional information as it is received.
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