A former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy has been federally charged with using excessive force during a 2023 shoplifting investigation in Lancaster.

Trevor James Kirk, 31, of Santa Clarita, has been charged with deprivation of rights under color of law after the June 24, 2023, confrontation at WinCo Foods, 740 W. Ave. K 4.

That day, when investigating a report of shoplifting by a man and woman that turned into a physical altercation, Kirk “used excessive force when he assaulted and pepper-sprayed a woman,” the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.

While detaining the man, Kirk and a partner were filmed by the woman, identified by the DOJ as J.H.

J.H. told the deputies that her video was being livestreamed online and that the deputies were legally required to tell the man for what he was being detained.

“The indictment alleges that Kirk then approached J.H. and, without giving any commands, attempted to grab her phone,” the release said. “J.H. turned away, at which point Kirk allegedly grabbed J.H. by her arm, hooked his left hand behind her neck, and violently threw her to the ground.”

While on the ground, Kirk put his knee on J.H.’s shoulder. When the woman yelled “stop” at Kirk and called him an obscenity, he “cocked his right arm back with a clenched fist and said, ‘Stop or you’re gonna get punched in the face,’” the DOJ said.

“Kirk then allegedly pressed his knee into J.H.’s neck, and she said, ‘Get your neck [sic] off my . . . off my . . . I can’t breathe,’” the release added. “While on top of J.H., the indictment alleges that Kirk used his LASD radio to misleading report that he was in a ‘fight.’”

Kirk also allegedly pepper sprayed J.H. in the face twice while she was detained, despite Kirk’s official LASD report that prosecutors called “misleading,” adding that he “he portrayed J.H. as a threat to his physical safety, claiming that J.H. assaulted him, attempted to hit him, and took a ‘fighting’ or ‘blading’ stance.”

A video of the leadup to the conflict was released in the weeks following, and though Kirk’s attorney has called the deputy’s actions “completely justified,” citing the video as evidence, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna was not as supportive.

“It’s disturbing,” Luna said at a press conference following the video’s release. “There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it.”

U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said in the DOJ’s news release that “when an officer violates the civil rights of another person, it undermines public safety for all of us.”

“Officers must be held accountable when they violate constitutional rights, and my Office is committed to prosecuting those who abuse their authority and breach the public’s trust,” Estrada said.

If convicted, Kirk faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

A man was taken into custody after allegedly running across the roofs of multiple homes and eventually breaking into one in Tujunga. 

Preliminary information indicates that a homeowner on Tujunga Canyon Place called police around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday to report hearing someone running through their backyard and across their roof. 

According to stringer service OnSceneTV, after the call was placed, the man ran across the street and into the backyard of a second home before proceeding to a third property which he forcefully entered. 

Video obtained by KTLA shows the man running through a backyard before falling while attempting to climb a fence.

Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived on the scene and were able to take the man into custody after searching the home. 

His identity is not known. No injuries were reported.

KTLA has reached out to police for more information but is yet to receive a response. 

Authorities detained 17 people near an Orange County school during an operation targeting reported drug use and sales.

Anaheim Police said suspects were spotted at La Palma Park in Anaheim which has negatively impacted a charter school located across the street.

The operation was conducted by Homeless Liaison Officers who directed enforcement and outreach services to the reported areas.

On Aug. 31, police responded to the park and detained 17 people. Seven people were arrested on various charges. Five others were provided detox and housing services and a woman who was eight months pregnant was transported to the hospital for care and housing. 

All leftover debris was removed by Lyons Security and the area will be cleaned by public works crewmembers.

Officers later responded to the 2200 block of West Lincoln Avenue on reports of an “influx of homeless individuals camping and using narcotics in the area,” police said. 

Two people, who were found passed out in a vehicle, were arrested for narcotics violations. Their truck was impounded and the area was cleared of all debris. 

“It was a great team effort to enforce the law while showing compassion and offering services in addition to the legal process,” Anaheim Police said.