Success: Judge Rejects Corrupt Sheriff’s Plea Deal

Target: California Federal Judge Percy Anderson

Goal: Applaud refusal to reject lenient plea deal in case of corrupt sheriff.

A former sheriff accused of corruption and a litany of other crimes will not be escaping with a minor slap on the wrist. Lee Baca, the retired Los Angeles County Sheriff, was facing a maximum of six months in prison before Judge Percy Anderson rejected the ex-lawman’s plea agreement for being too lenient.

According to Anderson, a light sentence for such serious crimes would fail to adequately punish Baca’s abuse of power. “It’s one thing to lie,” Anderson said. “It’s another thing entirely … when the chief law enforcement officer of the county of Los Angeles is involved in a wide-ranging conspiracy to cover up abuse and corruption.”

Baca’s misconduct was profiled in this ForceChange petition. Baca admitted to ordering his deputies to intimidate an FBI agent, telling them to “do everything but put handcuffs on her.” Further investigations revealed inmate beatings and subsequent attempts to cover them up.

Lee Baca has confessed to several serious crimes, and he must be punished accordingly. Sign the petition below to commend the judge for his commitment to upholding the law.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Mr. Anderson,

I am writing to commend your recent decision to reject former sheriff Lee Baca’s plea deal. Our justice system is founded on the concept of rule of law, and it is essential that all citizens, even high-ranking officials, be held accountable for their actions.

Baca has confessed to a litany of crimes, including the intimidation of a federal agent and the covering up of inmate abuse. These are serious offenses, and six months in jail is simply an insufficient punishment. Thank you for demanding a stiffer punishment in this case.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Beth Cortez-Neavel