Los Angeles County deputy admits violating transgender man's civil rights
A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy agreed to plead guilty to violating the civil rights of a California teacher who was beaten up after he flipped off the deputy, authorities said Wednesday.
A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy agreed to plead guilty to violating the civil rights of a California teacher who was beaten up after he flipped off the deputy, authorities said Wednesday.
The deputy, Joseph Benza III, 36, of Corona, was working out of the department's Norwalk station on Feb. 10, 2023, and was on his way to a domestic violence call when he saw Emmett Brock, who is transgender, gesture at him with a middle finger, officials said.
Benza then "abandoned the call for service he had confirmed and instead began closely following" Brock, "at certain points reaching speeds of over 50 miles per hour," according to a plea agreement filed in federal court Tuesday.
The pursuit lasted 1.8 miles, ending in a convenience store parking lot, where Benza, without "giving any commands," grabbed Brock and "violently body slammed" him to the pavement, according to the court document.
Benza punched Brock's "head and face multiple times" as Brock, a teacher, "repeatedly screamed for help and shouted, 'You’re going to kill me!' 'I can’t breathe!' and 'Please stop!'” the court record showed.
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