LA County Sheriff’s Deputy Maria Torres is charged with assaulting an inmate at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center and falsifying a report about the incident in January 2022. 

July 19, 2024 – LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced on Thursday that Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Maria Torres is charged with allegedly assaulting an inmate with pepper spray at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in the city of Los Angeles on January 20, 2022, and then falsifying a report regarding the incident.

“The alleged actions of Deputy Maria Torres are not only contrary to the values and principles that we uphold in law enforcement, but they also represent a significant breach of trust within our community,” District Attorney Gascón said. “The victim deserved to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of the circumstances. We are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the rights of all individuals are protected and upheld.”

Maria Torres (43) is charged in case 24CJCF04514 with one felony count of assault by a public officer; and one felony count of filing a false report by a police officer. 

An arraignment date will be scheduled at a later time.

On January 20, 2022, Deputy Maria Torres was working in the court lock-up at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center when she encountered an inmate who would not exit his cell. Torres allegedly unlawfully pepper sprayed the inmate through a gap in the cell door and then falsified a report about her use of force.

If convicted as charged, Torres faces a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in state prison to be served in local custody.

This case is being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigation Bureau.

Source: Los Angeles County District Attorney