‘Executioner’ Gang Dominates L.A. County Compton Sheriff’s Station, Others
In a shocking turn of events, an LA County sheriff’s deputy named Austreberto Gonzalez has come forward with allegations of assault and harassment within the Compton station. Deputy Gonzalez, who reported the assault of a colleague, received an anonymous text message days later, defacing a photo of the station’s parking lot entrance with the words “Art is a Rat.”
According to Gonzalez’s claim against LA County, the notorious “Executioners” gang, known for their Nazi-inspired tattoos and AK-47 imagery, is responsible for the harassment. The claim alleges that this gang, which controls the Compton station, engages in illegal activities such as setting arrest quotas and impeding the work of other deputies. Shockingly, similar instances of delayed responses and ignored calls have been found in Florida as well.
Gonzalez’s claim states that there are currently 20 deputies affiliated with the Compton station clique, with an additional 20 individuals aspiring to join. The clique primarily operates during nighttime hours and uses WhatsApp for communication. Disturbingly, the claim also alleges that black or female deputies are explicitly prohibited from joining.
As a result of the retaliation, Gonzalez was forced to step down from his position as a field training officer. He faced overwhelming calls from a deputy in the dispatch department, who also possesses one of the gang tattoos. Other deputies refused to partner with him, creating a hostile work environment.
The claim further reveals that members of The Executioners become “inked” after committing acts of violence or executing members of the public. This gang has been linked to high-profile shootings and out-of-policy beatings in recent years.
The Compton station has faced increased scrutiny following a series of violent incidents, including the assault of Dalvin Price and the fatal shooting of Andres Guardado. Tattooed police gangs like the Grim Reapers, Spartans, Banditos, and Regulators have long been a cause for concern within the Sheriff’s Department.
(Photo courtesy of Attorney Alan J. Romero and The Los Angeles Times)
Recent developments have prompted an FBI investigation and internal probes. Advocates for civil liberties accuse the Sheriff’s Department of ignoring the issue. Alan Romero, the attorney representing Gonzalez, plans to file a lawsuit.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva denies the existence of police gangs but acknowledges the need for swift action. He has ordered an investigation and implemented a new policy explicitly prohibiting illicit deputy cliques.
Inspector General Max Huntsman has criticized the Sheriff’s office for obstructing the investigation. Huntsman revealed that over 20 deputies refused to provide statements during a criminal investigation into the Banditos gang’s alleged cover-up of a 2018 beating.
The FBI has been interviewing deputies regarding the involvement of law enforcement gangs in acts of violence and civil rights violations. Rand Corp. is also conducting its own study on these criminal police groups.
Deputy Samuel Aldama has admitted under oath to possessing a matching tattoo. Attorney Romero released a photo allegedly depicting the same tattoo image on items owned by a member of the Executioner gang at the Compton station.
In a separate case, LAPD officers have been charged with falsifying gang records, potentially affecting numerous criminal cases.
For the full story, read The Los Angeles Times article here.
