LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – A Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff is facing the prospect of 10 years in federal prison after a jury found him guilty of using excessive force on woman outside a supermarket more than two years ago, authorities announced Thursday.
The violent encounter occurred on June 24, 2023, in the parking lot of a WinCo Foods supermarket in Lancaster.
While investigating a report of shoplifting, Deputy Trevor James Kirk, 32, a resident of Santa Clarita, detained a man matching the description of the male suspect, while the victim, identified by the U.S. Department of Justice as J.H., who matched the description of the female suspect, used her cellphone to record the interaction.
J.H., according to a DOJ news release, told Kirk he was required by law to tell the male detainee why he was being held and that she was broadcasting the video live on social media.
“Kirk then approached J.H. and, without giving any commands, attempted to grab her phone. J.H. turned away, at which point Kirk grabbed J.H. by her arm, hooked his left hand behind her neck, and violently threw her face first to the ground,” the release detailed.
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Video shows an LASD deputy slamming a woman to the ground outside a WinCo grocery store in Lancaster on June 24, 2023. (KTLA) -
Video shows an LASD deputy slamming a woman to the ground outside a WinCo grocery store in Lancaster on June 24, 2023. (KTLA) -
Body-worn camera images taken during a June 24, 2023, use of force incident in Lancaster. (LASD) -
Body-worn camera images taken during a June 24, 2023, use of force incident in Lancaster. (LASD) -
Body-worn camera images taken during a June 24, 2023, use of force incident in Lancaster. (LASD) -
Body-worn camera images taken during a June 24, 2023, use of force incident in Lancaster. (LASD) -
Body-worn camera images taken during a June 24, 2023, use of force incident in Lancaster. (LASD)
The deputy then put his knee on her shoulder and when yelled for him to stop, Kirk cocked his right arm back with a clenched fist and said, “Stop or you’re gonna get punched in the face.” Prosecutors said he then put his knee on her neck as she protested, saying, Get your neck [sic] off my… off my… I can’t breathe.”
Pulling out his radio, the 32-year-old then filed a misleading report, saying he was in a fight.
“Without giving any additional commands to J.H., Kirk pepper-sprayed her twice in the face,” the DOJ said. “While Kirk pepper sprayed J.H., her hands were holding only prescription sunglasses and a cloth surgical mask.”
During the ordeal, J.H. sustained blunt-force head trauma and injuries to her arms and wrists from being thrown to the ground, as well as injuries from being pepper-sprayed that required medical treatment.
Kirk’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 21, at which point he faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
