The LASD is facing a lawsuit after a woman, captured on body cam footage, was thrown to the ground outside a Lancaster grocery store.
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy faces charges of using excessive force after allegedly assaulting and pepper-spraying a woman during a shoplifting investigation outside a WinCo Foods in Lancaster last year.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Trevor James Kirk, aged 31 and hailing from Santa Clarita, has been indicted on a federal charge of deprivation of rights under color of law. The charge stems from an incident in June 2023 involving the use of force.
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Kirk, who is accused of using pepper spray on victim J.H., is set to be arraigned on the charge in Los Angeles federal court later this month, according to prosecutors.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the importance of holding officers accountable for violating the civil rights of others, stating that such actions undermine public safety. He expressed his commitment to prosecuting those who abuse their authority and breach the public’s trust, emphasizing the need to address constitutional rights violations.
In a previous report, we discussed the announcement of a lawsuit regarding a use of force incident outside the Lancaster Winco involving the LASD.
According to court documents, prosecutors stated that Kirk and another deputy were dispatched to the WinCo store in response to a potential robbery involving a male and female suspect. Upon arrival, Kirk and his colleague detained a man who closely matched the description of the male suspect, while a female individual, who resembled the other suspect, recorded the incident on video.
As Kirk was on the ground, he yelled at J.H. to “get on the ground.” In response, J.H. informed him that the video had already been uploaded on YouTube, according to the indictment.
According to the indictment, Kirk is accused of utilizing his LASD radio to falsely report that he was involved in a physical altercation.
According to the indictment, Kirk is accused of creating a deceptive report for the LASD. In the report, he falsely depicted J.H. as a physical threat, alleging that she assaulted him, tried to strike him, and assumed a combative posture.
If Kirk is found guilty, he could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in federal prison, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
