Judge Rejects (Los Angeles Co.) Ex-Sheriff's Plea Deal as Too Lenient

Source: Associated Press

A federal judge on Monday rejected a plea agreement by former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca in a corruption case, saying the sentencing guideline was too lenient for the "gross abuse of the public's trust."

Judge Percy Anderson's rejection came at the end of what was supposed to be Baca's sentencing for lying to federal authorities investigating beatings in the county jail system.

Baca could have faced up to six months in prison under the deal with prosecutors.

Anderson acknowledged that the 74-year-old Baca's early Alzheimer's diagnosis and lack of criminal history were factors to consider but were heavily outweighed by the harm his conduct caused.

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