LOS ANGELES, California ( MyCaliforniaNews ) — A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy has agreed to plead guilty to a federal civil rights violation for using excessive force against a transgender man, according to the Justice Department. Joseph Benza III, a 36-year-old from Corona, was charged with one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
Benza, who was assigned to the Norwalk Station at the time of the incident on February 10, 2023, faces a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The victim, identified in court documents as “E.B.,” suffered a concussion, contusions, and abrasions, according to court documents.
“When an officer violates someone’s civil rights, it corrodes trust in law enforcement,” stated United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “This senseless assault and subsequent attempted cover-up are an affront to our system of justice.”
The incident began when Benza responded to a domestic violence call in Whittier and saw E.B. drive by, extending his middle finger. Benza abandoned the call and followed E.B. for 1.8 miles, intending to retaliate, according to the plea agreement. After E.B. called 911 and pulled into a parking lot, Benza activated his overhead lights and approached E.B., who was exiting his vehicle. Without giving commands, Benza grabbed E.B., who pulled away and said, “Don’t touch me.”