Lacey Vows Crackdown After Deputy Charged With Assaulting Inmates
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The newly sworn-in District Attorney for Los Angeles County said Friday she will aggressively prosecute crimes committed by law enforcement officers following the arrest of a Sheriff's deputy on felony assault charges.
Jermaine Jackson was arrested without incident on Thursday after D.A. Jackie Lacey's office charged him with four felony counts of assault under the color of authority and two misdemeanor counts of falsifying police reports.
Lacey told KNX 1070 NEWSRADIO that the District Attorney's office will play a substantial role in bringing reform to the county jail system.
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"Our position has always been, 'No one is above the law'," Lacey said. "Using your badge to commit a crime...is not going to be tolerated."
Jackson, a five-year-veteran of the Sheriff's Department, is accused of assaulting inmates with his feet, which are considered a deadly weapon.
He was arrested as part of a broader investigation by the FBI into dozens of allegations of abuse involving the Twin Towers and other local jail facilities, according to the Associated Press.
Lacey, who was sworn in as District Attorney on Dec. 3, said the public can expect more prosecutions in the coming weeks and months.
"This is the first of many and we hope it sends, more importantly, a message to the community and those that are concerned about this issue that we are on the case," she said.
