Former Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy Remin Pineda has struck a plea deal to avoid jail time for the 2021 shooting death of David Ordaz Jr. in East Los Angeles. Pineda pleaded no contest to one felony count each of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and assault under color of authority. He will not return to jail, instead serving two years probation, completing 250 hours of community service, undergoing one year of psychological counseling, relinquishing his certification as a peace officer, and is required to write an apology to Ordaz's family, as reported by ABC7.
The plea arrangement has prompted strong opposition from Ordaz's family, who are dissatisfied with the outcome, especially given that the altercation was captured on body camera video footage. The distress is compounded by the fact that family members witnessed the shooting of Ordaz, who they say was experiencing a mental health crisis while armed with a knife. The incident unfolded on March 14, 2021, after a call to authorities by Ordaz’s sister, who now regrets having ever made the call. According to a KTLA interview, Ordaz's sister, Hilda Pedroza said, "Oh my God, how have we survived without David for four years? It’s been tough."
The judge presiding over the case, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark Arnold, expressed his own reservations, noting he "agonized over whether it was the right thing to do" but ultimately believed the agreement "does comport with justice." The disposition was also deemed appropriate by prosecutors, but Ordaz's family members directly challenged the outcome in court. Emily Ordaz, one of the victim's daughters, urged the judge to deliver justice "to the man who killed my father," in a statement obtained by ABC7.
Under the plea agreement, Pineda will also pay restitution to the victim's family and is forever banned from becoming a law enforcement officer or owning firearms. These penalties fall under "the penalties of a serious felony conviction," as noted by the district attorney's office in a statement reported by NBC Los Angeles. Despite these sentences, the family is still pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit, alleging deputies used unjustifiable lethal force, especially after Ordaz was disarmed and on the ground. Following the sentencing, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has stated that the internal administrative investigation will continue.
The case reveals tension between the outcomes of the criminal justice system and the expectations of the families affected by police violence. Hilda Pedroza voiced the family's frustration, saying they are "completely disappointed at the decision today," which was communicated to reporters. Pineda's restitution hearing is set for Jan. 30, marking another step in the ongoing case that has gravely impacted the Ordaz family and raised questions about law enforcement accountability and the justice system's handling of such incidents.
