Deputy Faces Prison Time After Violent Arrest of Woman Filming Police
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was found guilty of using excessive force in the violent arrest of a woman who was filming a police encounter outside a supermarket in Lancaster. The deputy, 32-year-old Trevor James Kirk, was convicted Thursday on one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law, federal prosecutors announced.
Kirk’s trial stemmed from a June 2023 incident in which he forcefully tackled and pepper-sprayed a woman who was recording deputies as they handcuffed a man suspected of robbery. The arrest was captured on both body-camera footage and bystander video, which played a key role in securing the conviction.
Incident Caught on Camera
Deputies responded to reports of a robbery at a grocery store in Lancaster, located about 45 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The couple, whose names were not released, reportedly matched the description of the suspects.
Body-camera footage released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department showed the man calmly sitting on a large rock outside the store while holding a cake before officers placed him in handcuffs. His companion stood nearby, recording the encounter on her phone.
Prosecutors said Kirk aggressively attempted to seize the woman’s phone. When she turned away, he threw her face-first onto the ground and used pepper spray on her. The violent takedown was also captured on cellphone footage by a bystander.
Sheriff’s Department Condemns Actions
The case is one of several recent incidents that have raised concerns about the use of excessive force by Los Angeles County deputies. Following Kirk’s conviction, the Sheriff’s Department issued a statement denouncing his actions and confirming that he has been relieved of duty without pay.
“These actions are completely contrary to the values and standards upheld by the Sheriff’s Department,” the statement read. “Law enforcement officers not only take an oath to uphold the law but are held to the highest standards of accountability and integrity. No deputy is above the law, and any abuse of power which violates the public’s trust will not be tolerated.”
Deputy Faces Up to 10 Years in Prison
Kirk now faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for April 21.
His defense team has not yet publicly responded to the verdict, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not commented on whether additional disciplinary actions or policy changes will follow in light of the case.
