EspañolDistrict Attorney Filed Felony Excessive Force Charges Against LA County Probation Supervisor Oscar Cross After Violent Assault On Unarmed Teen
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (July 25, 2023) – LA county probation supervisor Oscar Cross is facing a felony excessive force charge after brutally attacking an unarmed teenager.
The Los Angeles County district attorney’s said that his office was initially unaware of the incident. But the Lost Angeles Times obtained footage of the assault which took place at Camp Kilpatrick in Malibu.
The footage shows multiple officers pile on top of the teenager. His legs were bent back violently over his head. One officer forced him onto a bed by his neck and proceeded to place a knee on his back.
His body can be seen visibly twitching while he is being restrained. District attorney George Gascón described the event as a “brutal assault on a child by a person entrusted with his care while he was in custody.”
Michael Carrillo, an attorney representing the victim, said that the charges are “the first step towards achieving justice against one of the individuals involved in the brutal attack on Beckham. However, we hope this is the first of many filings against those involved in the excessive and brutal attack suffered by our client.”
Carrillo said that he will pursue a federal civil rights lawsuit on behalf of his client. He told the LA Times that he hopes “that the County of Los Angeles will acknowledge their role in covering up the incident and ratifying such heinous conduct by former Probation Department Chief Adolfo Gonzales.”
Oscar Cross is facing a maximum of three years in prison if convicted. L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said that she plans to introduce a motion that would provide greater oversight and reporting for similar “critical incidents,” including uses of force.
Liability For Los Angeles County Police Abuse
Los Angeles County has a very poor track record for how officers treat children and adults in their care. According to NBC Los Angeles, LA county is facing hundreds of lawsuits by people who say that they were physically, sexually, and psychologically abused while they were staying in a county juvenile facility. Victims of the abuse have made a number of claims.
- Juveniles were not protected by staff.
- The children at the juvenile halls were sexually abused by correctional officers.
- Correctional officers regularly physically harmed or threatened children into silence.
- Anyone who spoke up about the abuse was either ignored or even punished in some circumstances.
Every person in California has a right to be free from the excessive force of police officers. Police departments can be liable for the excessive force of their officers. Pursuant to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, “Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law.” There are a number of steps that should be taken after any suspected instance of excessive force.
- Medical records related to the incident should be preserved.
- The body camera footage from all officers involved should be examined.
- Previous disciplinary action against all officers should be reviewed.
- A civil rights attorney should be consulted.
Abuse within juvenile halls is often an institutional problem. It’s not simply a matter of one “bad apple” acting up. Abuse thrives in environments where there is little oversight or accountability. Any person that is injured by the excessive force of correctional officers may be able to seek some measure of justice through a constitutional claim. No person or institution within the United States is above the rule of law.
Investigating Los Angeles County Police Abuse Claims
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were horrified and disturbed to learn about the illegal and unconstitutional actions of Oscar Cross. Our law firm is committed to getting our client justice in this case. There is simply no excuse for what happened. It is our sincere hope that county officials will implement measures to provide greater oversight at its juvenile halls.
Have you or someone that you care about been harmed by the actions of law enforcement in Los Angeles County? There are a number of laws designed to protect your rights. Our team of civil rights advocates are committed to holding law enforcement accountable for their actions. Whether you just have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney might be able to help, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
