LA Board of Supervisors Approves Settlements For Incidents Including Lieutenant Driving Drunk, Deputy Sexually Exploiting Disabled Woman

The total amount of settlements approved in August totaled just under $3 million

The total amount spent by Los Angeles County in settlements resulting from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in August 2026 came to $2,970,964 – which in the past has been the price tag for a single case. None of the cases the Board of Supervisors approved to settle over the past month have resulted from shootings. Typically, lawsuits filed after a deputy shoots or kills someone result in multi-million dollar settlements. This August’s incidents, however, demonstrate the other types of behavior by department personnel that have injured county residents – whether through negligence, disregard or depravity.

LASD provided the following emailed statement on the settlement awards:

“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous organizational improvement. Every critical incident and claim of liability undergoes a rigorous, thorough administrative review to evaluate employee conduct, assess policy compliance, and identify opportunities for corrective action.

When policy or procedural violations occur, the Department takes decisive administrative action. When an employee's actions compromise the public trust or violate the law, immediate measures are taken, including relieving personnel of duty pending investigation.”

The cases break down as follows:

• $800,000 to Crespin Donel, a man serving a life sentence in prison who was stabbed by a man who had been placed in his single man cell by deputies. Donel was sentenced to life after being convicted in a domestic violence case under California’s Three Strike Law. He was transferred from state prison to a maximum security unit in the Twin Towers Correctional Facility for a resentencing hearing. On August 31, 2023, Donel was stabbed after deputies returned him to his cell from the yard. Donel and his attorney Erik Zograbian were confused by the incidents.Zograbian said that Donel did not have beef with any of the inmates because he was not from the county system. The lawyer also said that Donel did not have interactions with other inmates because he was kept alone in cell and on the yard.“We couldn't figure out a motive,” Zograbian said. “But one thing is clear this couldn't have happened unless the deputies either completely royally screwed up or had some kind of intent.”

As soon as the lawsuit was filed, according to Zograbian, Los Angeles County attorneys moved to settle the case. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.

This settlement includes attorney’s fees and costs, and will be taken from the Sheriff’s Department’s budget. LASD did not directly respond to questions about whether the deputies involved in this incident were disciplined, and what if any discipline given was. In the emailed statement, the department said it had implemented corrective measures including the use of daily housing records and a review of cell blind spots to mitigate reoccurrence.

• $490,000 to Christopher Prevedello, an incarcerated man who was also placed in the wrong cell by deputies and assaulted by two other inmates on March 23, 2023. The settlement includes attorney’s fees and costs, and will be taken from the Sheriff’s Department’s budget.LASD again did not directly respond to questions about whether the deputies involved in this incident were disciplined, and what if any discipline given was. In the emailed statement, the department said that the assault on Prevedello was investigated, and a case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
• $375,000 to a 25-year-old autistic woman who was groomed and sexually exploited by deputy Adam Villalobos beginning in March of 2022, according to legal filings. Villalobos initially contacted the woman as she was walking near her home and took down her contact information. He began communicating with her regularly, and at one point exposed himself to her on a FaceTime call. Villalobos also used pedophilic phrases in his communications with her, including: “If I had a stepdaughter who looked like you, I would try to get at it,” and "I like your body cause it reminds me of a young girls body." Villalobos has a documented history of force resulting in injury, and was on the scene of the beating of Sheldon Lockett by deputies who are members of the Executioners deputy gang. The settlement includes attorney’s fees and costs and will be paid out of the Sheriff’s Department’s budget.

LASD said in an emailed statement that the department was made aware of a complaint about Villalobos on March 1, 2022 and initiated an investigation. He was relieved of duty on October 10, 2022 but remained employed through May 30, 2025 when he “separated” from the department, according to LASD. California law on confidentiality for records of police officers limit information that can be shared by the department, including the circumstances around employment ending.

A case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office for consideration, according to the sheriff’s department. An administrative investigation on the matter is ongoing.

• $200,000 to Edward Larrio Herrera, whose car was struck by by Lieutenant Cynthia Alicia Dolson when she ran through a red light during a DUI on June 20, 2023. A California Highway Patrol office who investigated the collision noted alcohol on Dolson’s breath and noticed her eyes were bloodshot. After conducting a field sobriety test, the officer concluded Dolson was under the influence and she was arrested.LASD said in an emailed statement that Dolson was relieved of duty on June 20, 2023 and that an internal criminal investigation was initiated. Dolson “separated” from the department on Juuly 5, 2023, according to the statement. The Los Angeles District Attorney filed charges against her, and she pleaded guilty on March 6, 2026. She was sentenced to three years probation, and was allowed to retire, therefore preserving her pension. This settlement will be taken from the Sheriff’s Department’s budget.
• $305,964 to Marina Barajas, whose car was struck by Chief Bobby Wyche as he made a left turn to enter a freeway during his commute to work on December 19, 2023. Wyche was on duty at the time of the collision. Barajas had her three children in the back of her vehicle. The four of them were treated for injuries on site by paramedics and transported to the hospital. The Fontana Police Department investigated the crash and found that Wyche had caused it by not yielding to oncoming traffic when entering the freeway. Wyche continued working following the crash. It is unclear if Wyche was disciplined; the Sheriff’s Department did not answer questions about what, if any, discipline he received. Wyche is also the captain who oversaw the handling of the beating of Joseph Perez. He retired on February 28, 2025. In an emailed statement, LASD said that “every traffic collision involving a Department vehicle is thoroughly investigated, reviewed, and approved at the Department’s executive level. The County settled without any admission of liability.”The settlement in Barajas’s case will come from the Sheriff’s Department’s budget.
• 550,000 to Chloe Sanchez, a paramedic who was riding in an ambulance struck by deputy Marcus Kyle Sy when he failed to yield. The incident occurred in the city of Pico Rivera which contracts law enforcement services with the Sheriff’s Department. A review by department executives found that Sy had not violated any policy during the incident. But a root cause of the crash was determined to be that his “cell phone activity occurred in approximation to the collision” and had “potentially contributed to the inability to recognize the lights from the ambulance.”In an emailed statement, the sheriff’s department said that a traffic collision mitigation strategy centered on the topic of safety has been implemented. The settlement will come from the Sheriff’s Department’s Contract Cities Trust Fund’s budget.
• $250,000 to Jayvonte George, a 19-year-old Black student who was stopped and arrested for resisting arrest by deputies Fujino and Fazzini while walking down the street on April 10, 2023. The settlement includes attorney’s fees and costs and will be paid out of the Sheriff’s Department’s budget.

LASD said in an emailed statement that while the force used was reasonable and within policy, the deputies did not activate their body worn cameras and violated department policy. The department did not provide an answer to what disciplinary action was taken. LASD also said that the incident and circumstances surrounding it were de-briefed by training staff.

The Board of Supervisors will meet again on September 1st, 2026 to examine the next round of cases.