LOS ANGELES (CNS) - An officer with the Veterans Affairs Police Department accused of using a department-issued baton to illegally strike a man about 45 times in 41 seconds at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges, officials announced Thursday.
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Juan Anthony Carrillo, 45, entered his plea to two counts: deprivation of rights under color of law resulting in bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon with the intent to do bodily harm. Both offenses carry possible penalties of up to 10 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Carrillo was granted release on a $30,000 bond, and a tentative trial date of Dec. 5 was scheduled, prosecutors said.
According to the indictment, at about 4 a.m. on Jan. 16, 2022, the 34- year-old victim identified as R.V. was detained by another VAPD officer on the grounds of the Medical Center.
Carrillo arrived to assist the other officer and proceeded to strike R.V. with a VAPD-issued baton up to 45 times in roughly 41 seconds, according to the indictment that notes most, if not all, of the baton strikes were delivered while the other officer was on top of the victim.
The indictment states that Carrillo was about 60 pounds heavier than R.V., and the second officer was about 8 inches taller and about 85 pounds heavier than the victim. As a result of the alleged beating, the victim sustained injuries that included bleeding and lacerations on both legs, the indictment contends.
In addition to the use of excessive force, Carrillo, on the day after the incident, allegedly prepared a misleading VAPD incident report to justify his use of force.
"Carrillo's report misleadingly and falsely claimed that victim R.V. was violently kicking his legs and refusing to show his hands, while also omitting the number of strikes defendant Carrillo used," according to the indictment.
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