header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


By Matt Reynolds

A federal judge on Friday sentenced former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca to three years in prison for obstructing a federal investigation, delivering a stinging rebuke to the official for trying to blame his closest aide and leverage a medical condition to avoid jail time.

U.S. District Judge Percy Anderson sentenced Baca after a jury convicted him in March of obstructing a federal investigation into corruption and civil rights abuses at two county jails through a scheme that involved hiding an FBI informant to prevent his testimony before a federal grand jury.

“This is a sad day for our community,” Anderson said, calling it “tragic” that Baca had fallen so spectacularly after leading one of the largest law enforcement agencies in the nation.

In addition to a 36-month sentence, Anderson ordered Baca to serve a year of probation and pay a $7,500 fine. Baca will surrender to authorities on July 25.

In arguments before Anderson delivered his verdict, Baca, wearing a blue-gray suit and striped tie, watched as his attorney Nathan Hochman urged the court to take into account the 74-year-old’s 48 years of public service, as well as his age and Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis.

Hochman described Baca as a progressive “visionary” who wanted to reform the jails, end homelessness and educate inmates and deputies.

Baca had “served with distinction, effectiveness and with all his soul,” Hochman said. He asked the court to sentence the former lawman to home detention or minimal time in jail.

But Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Fox noted that a “shameful era” of deputy-on-inmate abuse had occurred under Baca’s watch, and said he had “destroyed” the Sheriff Department’s reputation.

“He abused the power that was entrusted to him,” Fox said. “He hurt so many people along the way.”

Anderson acknowledged Baca’s years of public service but criticized his attempt to blame convicted Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, who is currently serving a five-year sentence. Baca and his legal team have consistently claimed Tanaka orchestrated the obstruction scheme and kept his boss in the dark.

But for Baca’s medical condition the court would have handed down the same five-year sentence to the former sheriff, the judge said.

“Mr. Tanaka was not some rogue deputy,” Anderson said. “You were all too happy to let people like Mr. Tanaka do your dirty work.”

Over six weeks in August and September 2011, Baca conspired with those under his command to thwart an investigation into inmate abuse at two jails by hiding inmate-informant and violent felon Anthony Brown within the jail system. The conspiracy began after jailers split apart a covert FBI operation into Men’s Central Jail and the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in the summer of 2011, after pulling a smuggled cellphone out of a Dorito’s bag from Brown’s belongings.

Anderson said that Baca had the power to call an end to the “misguided” and “clumsy” scheme which reached its nadir when deputies Scott Craig and Maricela Long approached FBI Agent Leah Marx outside her home and threatened her arrest.

“Your actions embarrass the thousands of men and women who put their lives on the line every day,” Anderson said.

The judge excoriated the official for suggesting in court papers that his Alzheimer’s disease was punishment enough, calling it an insult to the millions of people who suffer from the disease.

“Alzheimer’s disease is not a get out of jail card,” Anderson said.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Baca thanked his attorneys and his wife Carol Chiang but defended his actions, returning to a theme that his defense had presented over two trials: The introduction of a cellphone into the jails was a dangerous move by the FBI that could have jeopardized the safety of inmates and deputies.

“I will never accept a cellphone in a county jail given to a career criminal. I don’t care who puts it in,” Baca said outside the courthouse.

Acting U.S. Attorney Sandra Brown said the sentence showed no official is above the law.

“Rather than fulfill his sworn duty to uphold the law and protect the public, Lee Baca made a decision to protect what he viewed as his empire, and then he took actions in an effort to simply protect himself,” Brown said. “He wore the badge, but ultimately, he failed the department and the public’s trust.”

Anderson has presided over 10 cases connected to the scheme that has led to 21 convictions according to U.S. Attorney Office spokesman Thom Mrozek. Baca is the 10th member of the Sheriff’s Department convicted in the scheme.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

3 Comments

  1. no name says:

    He should have been the first tried!

  2. no name says:

    He was responsible for the whole Department and should have been the first tried!

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Bring along a furry friend to the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center's Purple Walk Domestic Violence Awareness 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at the Center’s main facility 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Oct. 5: 5K Purple Walk Dogs Against Domestic Violence
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Braddon Mendelson to Present ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals, Canyons Women Take Fourth at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital
SCVNews.com