L.A. Sheriff's Department accused of obstructing investigation after video of inmate beating leaked

Accused of a history of unlawful conduct, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is refusing to cooperate with a county investigation after leaked surveillance video showed two sheriff’s department deputies beating an inmate who didn’t appear to be doing anything wrong. Jose Romero, the attacked inmate's attorney, told the Los Angeles Times and other news outlets it was actually at least six deputies that beat his client Jesus Soto Jara to the ground, but the other four deputies weren't shown in the leaked footage. The incident happened just before midnight on July 3, 2022 at the inmate reception center inside the Men’s Central Jail in Downtown Los Angeles.

“He was beat up Monday and showed up to court Thursday somehow in a pretty bad state,” Romero said. “When I saw him on Friday, he was in pretty bad shape. His left eye was red, his back was in pain, his head was in pain.” Romero said his client did not provoke the attack.

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