Vanessa Perez Seeks Answers Five Years After Son’s Assault by Police
It’s been five years since Vanessa Perez’s son, Joseph, endured a brutal beating at the hands of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies, leaving him with over 30 stitches and staples in his face and head. She continues to search for clarity regarding the incident, while county officials grapple with issues of accountability relating to department conduct.
Despite ongoing legal action, a detailed understanding of what transpired on July 27, 2020, in East Valinda remains elusive. The Sheriff’s Office’s report provides a heavily redacted account of the events.
The report states that Joseph, who was 27 at the time, was stopped by a deputy under suspicion of vehicle burglary. Allegedly, he struck several deputies, resulting in injuries to three of them, and a fourth deputy broke a leg on the curb. In total, six deputies restrained him using various techniques before he was arrested and charged with multiple counts of resisting arrest.
However, crucial details from the department’s use-of-force report are completely blacked out, leaving Vanessa and others in the Private Surveillance Committee questioning what information is being withheld.
In February, county surveillance officials issued three subpoenas for access to unedited records relating to Joseph’s case. Yet, the county’s attorney’s office resisted, citing confidentiality concerns, while the Sheriff’s Office refused to release the files.
Vanessa, who attends almost every oversight committee meeting donning a T-shirt with her son’s injured face, voices her frustrations regularly. She expressed, “Surviving an arrest shouldn’t look like this. It’s just unacceptable.” Her informal tally of various accounts suggests an overwhelming acknowledgment of excessive force.
The severity of the assault has left Joseph struggling, making social interactions difficult due to lingering fear and trauma.
In March 2022, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna indicated that a lawsuit might be filed to determine compliance over the disclosure of records. At that time, he stated the county advised them it would be “illegal” to release certain documents.
Meanwhile, Joseph asserts he was not engaged in any criminal activity during the incident, but rather was experiencing a mental health crisis. His mother highlights that he has a history of legal troubles, including charges related to substance abuse and property damage. He is currently imprisoned after violating probation from another case involving similar struggles.
Joseph’s public defense lawyer mentioned that he suffers from significant mental health issues, including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. During a brief phone call, Joseph expressed a desire for the full report to be released, saying it would validate his perspective on the situation.
The Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on the specifics of the incident involving their deputies, but claimed a thorough review of the use-of-force case concluded that the officers acted within policy guidelines.
Professor Sean Kennedy, previously with the oversight committee, noted that pursuing records related to Joseph’s case is challenging, contributing to a problematic surveillance environment. He describes the situation as a potential “surveillance theater” without effective oversight capability.
Last month, it was revealed that Robert Bonner, chairman of the oversight committee, was facing replacement, something he opposed given his commitment to ongoing efforts in the community. Bonner suggested that the county’s influence obstructs meaningful oversight, a sentiment echoed by other committee members.
In response to ongoing challenges, Bonner pushed for enhanced subpoena powers, emphasizing that this authority is vital for effective oversight of the Sheriff’s Department.
The Sheriff’s Department has stated it will follow legal directives related to record disclosure, igniting discussions about the implications of Measure R—a voter-approved initiative that allows oversight committees subpoena authority. Yet, the county continues to navigate around these regulations, exacerbating concerns about a culture of impunity within the department.
Recently, during a court appearance, Vanessa saw her son escorted into the courtroom, handcuffed and visibly affected by his prior experiences. Despite opportunities for vocational training and mental health treatment, legal hurdles keep him from making significant progress.
Vanessa urges for the release of unredacted records pertaining to her son’s case, insisting on the need for transparency. “Joseph’s experience isn’t unique. We need answers about how these patterns of behavior persist,” she stressed, hoping to shed light on the truth behind her son’s ordeal.
