LASD Deputy Nicole Bell Charged With Destroying Evidence, Assault During 2019 Arrest In Lancaster
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — A Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy has been charged with altering evidence where she allegedly assaulted a man during a 2019 arrest in Lancaster, the L.A. County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.
Nicole Bell, 27, is facing one felony count each of accessing and altering computer data without permission, altering, planting or concealing evidence as a peace officer and assault by an officer.
According to prosecutors, Bell responded to a call in Lancaster July 20, 2019. During that call, she is accused of assaulting a man while he sat in the back of a patrol vehicle. She is also accused of deleting video of the incident from the cell phone of a family member of the man.
"Tampering or destroying evidence tarnishes law enforcement and creates mistrust among the public," District Attorney Gascón said.
The case remains under investigation by LASD.
