LA Cops Found Guilty in Jail Visitor Beating and Attempted Cover Up

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A federal court convicted three Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies on Wednesday on charges related to the severe beating of a handcuffed man who was visiting the downtown Los Angeles Men's Central Jail.

The deputies — who work at the country's largest sheriff's department — tried to cover up the 2011 incident that left Gabriel Carrillo bloodied and bruised as he was visiting the jailhouse. In Wednesday's ruling, the court found Sgt. Eric Gonzalez and deputies Sussie Ayala and Fernando Luviano guilty of deprivation of civil rights and falsification of records charges. Gonzalez and Ayala received an additional conviction for conspiracy to violate constitutional rights.

Photos depicting a bruised Carrillo along with evidence that he had been handcuffed at the time persuaded Jury Foreman Tony Tran to find the defendants guilty.

"It was very apparent to all of us that they were guilty," the 35-year-old said.

Two other deputies, Noel Womack and Pantamitr Zunggeemoge, struck plea deals ahead of the trial after they pled guilty and testified in exchange for lesser sentences. According to their testimonies, Carrillo was at the jail to visit his brother when authorities detained him over suspicions that he had snuck in a cell phone. The victim was allegedly face down on the ground while the deputies beat him. All involved had agreed to lie about what happened, the said.

Sentences are expected to be delivered on November 2, with all three facing minimum jail sentences of six years. The defendants' attorneys said they will appeal the decision. Three federal prosecutors presided over the case, including Assistant US Attorney Lizabeth Rhodes, who slammed the deputies' actions.

"An individual who carries a badge and a gun and who uses their authority and power to violate people's constitutional rights — as was the case here — is one of the worst kinds of criminals and should be brought to justice," Rhodes said.

A federal inquiry is currently underway into corruption and civil rights abuses at the Los Angeles County sheriff's department, where nearly two-dozen officers have been hit with charges including beatings and obstruction of justice. In total, 14 department members have been convicted on a range of charges.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.