Los Angeles sheriff's deputy gets 8 years in beating of jail visitor

 

LOS ANGELES (KABC) --

A former Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy was sentenced to eight years in prison Monday for supervising the backroom beating of a jail visitor who fellow guards testified was handcuffed on the ground and covered in blood.

Sgt. Eric Gonzalez, a 15-year veteran of the sheriff's department, was found guilty in June of deprivation of civil rights, conspiracy to violate constitutional rights and falsification of records in the 2011 beating of Gabriel Carrillo at Men's Central Jail.

The 49-year-old was immediately taken into custody following his sentencing on Monday.

U.S. District Judge George King said Gonzalez "abused his authority and corrupted the very system he was sworn to uphold."

Carrillo and his then-girlfriend, now-wife brought their cellphones into the jail's visitor center, which is a misdemeanor violation of the law.

Carrillo was handcuffed, taken into a break room and savagely beaten. Carrillo admits to "mouthing off" to the deputies, but says he never fought back. He was face down on the floor and both hands were handcuffed behind his back.

As Gonzalez watched, deputies threw Carrillo against a refrigerator, took him to the ground, repeatedly punched and kicked him, and pepper sprayed his face. Carrillo was then charged with battery on a custodial officer, resisting and attempted escape during a lawful detention - charges that were later dropped.

The victim won nearly $1.2 million in a civil settlement with Los Angeles County last year.

In court Monday, Carrillo said sergeants should be held to a higher standard and noted that he almost went to prison for a crime he did not commit.

Along with Gonzalez, the jury convicted ex-deputies Sussie Ayala and Fernando Luviano in the assault. They are scheduled to be sentenced by King on Nov. 30.

City News Service and The Associated Press contributed to this report.