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Indictment of Veterans Affairs Police Officer for Civil Rights Abuses

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A Veterans Affairs Police officer, Juan Anthony Carrillo, has been indicted on civil rights and assault charges for allegedly using excessive force against a man at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. The indictment claims that Carrillo, 45, struck the victim, identified as "R.V.", approximately 45 times in 41 seconds, despite being about 60 pounds heavier and having a significant height and weight advantage over the victim. The incident occurred on January 16, 2022, and the indictment also alleges that Carrillo prepared a misleading incident report to justify his actions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The indictment alleges that Juan Anthony Carrillo, a 45-year-old Veterans Affairs Police officer, used excessive force against a 34-year-old man, identified as "R.V.", at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center on January 16, 2022.
  • The indictment claims that Carrillo struck R.V. approximately 45 times in 41 seconds, most of which were delivered while the other officer was on top of the victim.
  • The indictment notes that Carrillo was about 60 pounds heavier and about 8 inches taller and about 85 pounds heavier than the victim.
  • The victim suffered injuries including bleeding and lacerations on both legs as a result of the alleged beating.
  • Carrillo is charged with 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 of which carry statutory maximum penalties of 10 years in federal prison.
  • The investigation is being conducted by the FBI, the VA's Office of Inspector General, and the VA's Office of Security and Law Enforcement, and is being prosecuted by the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
  • The indictment is a result of a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury and Carrillo will receive a summons directing him to appear in the coming weeks for an arraignment in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.

Statistics:

  • 45 times: The number of strikes allegedly delivered by Carrillo to the victim.
  • 41 seconds: The amount of time it allegedly took Carrillo to strike the victim 45 times.
  • 60 pounds: The weight advantage Carrillo had over the victim.
  • 8 inches: The height advantage Carrillo had over the victim.
  • 85 pounds: The combined weight advantage Carrillo had over the victim in total.
  • 10 years: The statutory maximum penalty for both offenses alleged in the indictment.
  • 1: The time of day (4:00 a.m.) at which the alleged incident occurred.

Sources:

  • United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California (1/19/2023)
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (b)
  • Los Angeles Field Office, FBI (no date)

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