A former officer with the Veterans Affairs Police Department (VAPD) has been sentenced to a year in federal prison after being convicted of violating a man's civil rights during an incident at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. Juan Anthony Carrillo, 46, from Alhambra, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a misdemeanor count of deprivation of rights under color of law for using excessive force against an unarmed victim identified as 'R.V.' in court documents, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.
In the early hours of January 16, 2022, Carrillo reportedly struck the victim around 45 times with his baton within 41 seconds. The sentence, handed down by United States District Judge Wesley L. Hsu, is the maximum for an officer in this offense. Judge Hsu emphasized the duty of officers to maintain public trust, stating, "Officers owe a special duty and have a special obligation to keep the trust of the citizens they police." R.V., who was significantly smaller and lighter than both Carrillo and another officer involved in the detention, suffered serious injuries from the beating, including cuts on both legs and a fractured bone in his right foot.
The disproportionate violence that characterized the arrest was detailed during the legal proceedings, with a noted weight and height advantage held by the officers over R.V. In the trial, the severity of the injuries was highlighted, indicating the excessive nature of Carrillo's use of force. The investigation into the incident was conducted by the FBI, the VA’s Office of Inspector General, and the VA’s Office of Security and Law Enforcement, with Assistant United States Attorneys Susan S. Har and Michael J. Morse leading the prosecution.
Public Information Officer Ciaran McEvoy confirmed the sentencing, marking the conclusion to a case that raises troubling questions about the conduct of enforcement personnel assigned the role of protecting veterans. The full details of the sentencing can be accessed through the official Department of Justice release.
