The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department has faced significant upheaval following the arrest and beating of a transgender man, Emmett Brock, in February 2023. Deputy Joseph Benza Iii, identified as the primary officer involved in the incident, has pleaded guilty in federal court to a felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law. This charge could result in a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. Alongside Benza’s legal proceedings, at least eight deputies from the department have been terminated for their roles in the incident and subsequent cover-up. An ongoing FBI investigation is further examining the matter.
Deputy Joseph Benza III’s guilty plea, announced last week, signifies a critical development in the case that has drawn widespread attention to issues of police conduct and accountability. Benza and his now-dismissed colleagues are accused of concealing crucial details surrounding the incident, including the initial reason for stopping Brock on February 10, 2023. While the department confirmed dismissals beyond Benza, the exact number remained undisclosed until six anonymous sources within the agency informed the Los Angeles Times of the termination of eight deputies, including several sergeants.
Sheriff Robert G Luna of Los Angeles County issued a statement condemning Deputy Joseph Benza III’s actions. He stated that Benza’s conduct “undermine[s] the integrity of our Department, the trust of our community, and the safety of those we are sworn to protect.” Luna emphasized the deep concern that a department member, now relieved of duty, had abused their authority, violating the public’s trust and the law.
Alt text: Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaking about department integrity following Deputy Joseph Benza III case.
Benza is scheduled to reappear in court on January 17. His attorney, Tom Yu, told The Guardian that he intends to request probation for his client. Yu defended Benza, stating he “strongly stand[s] behind my client and his decision to take accountability for this incident.” He argued that while Benza’s initial use of force might have been justified, the events before and after “impacted the calculus of the evaluation of the takedown and the eventual arrest of [Brock].”
The sequence of events leading to Brock’s arrest began when Brock, leaving his job as a high school teacher, drove past Deputy Joseph Benza III, who appeared to be in a heated discussion with a woman. Brock, in passing, gave Benza the middle finger. Seconds later, Benza began pursuing Brock in his patrol car.
Prosecutors allege that during the nearly two-mile pursuit, Deputy Joseph Benza III contacted another deputy, stating his intention to stop the individual who had gestured at him and planned to use force. It’s further alleged that Benza abandoned a domestic violence call to pursue Brock.
Video footage, provided to the Times by Brock’s lawyer, shows Brock pulling into a 7-Eleven parking lot and exiting his vehicle. Benza then approached Brock, stating, “I just stopped you” without providing a reason, before grabbing Brock’s arms and forcing him to the ground.
Alt text: Parking lot security camera still captures Deputy Joseph Benza III confronting and arresting Emmett Brock.
In the video, Brock can be heard protesting, “What the f**k are you doing? Get the f**k off me.” As Deputy Joseph Benza III struggled to restrain him, Brock is heard yelling for help and exclaiming, “You’re gonna kill me!” Benza is heard instructing Brock to put his hands behind his back, to which Brock responded, “You have my hands. I’m trying to get my hands behind my back.” The video reportedly shows Benza punching Brock for approximately three minutes while Brock repeatedly states, “I’m not resisting,” according to the Times.
Brock sustained bruises, scrapes, and a concussion from the encounter. He was subsequently charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor. Brock also alleges that during the booking process, officers made invasive inquiries about his genitals and questioned his gender identity, despite his identification stating male. He was later released from the Norwalk sheriff’s station after posting $100,000 bail. All charges against Brock have since been dropped, and a judge formally declared his innocence.
Deputy Joseph Benza III’s initial account of the incident contained inconsistencies and suggested an attempt to obstruct the investigation, allegedly with the assistance of other officers. His initial report claimed Brock appeared to be initiating a punch and omitted any mention of the middle finger gesture. Instead, Benza stated he pulled Brock over for a dangling air freshener. Benza further claimed Brock bit him and “attempted to rip the skin from [his] hand,” however, medical reports showed no bite marks.
Prosecutors further allege that as media attention on the case grew, Deputy Joseph Benza III exchanged group text messages with colleagues, discussing deleting information from their personal phones. A sergeant allegedly instructed Benza to “toss the phone” via group chat.
Initially, Deputy Joseph Benza III told investigators he did not see anyone give him the middle finger. He also maintained that Brock had bitten him and that he had not discussed the incident report with anyone. However, in his plea agreement, he admitted to discussing the report with others and that a sergeant had written “substantive portions” of it for him.
As the investigation continues, Emmett Brock and his lawyer, Thomas E Beck, have a pending federal case against Los Angeles County, Deputy Joseph Benza III, and other deputies. The lawsuit alleges false imprisonment, civil rights violations, and assault and battery.
NBC News reported that Brock was terminated from his teaching position three days after the arrest. However, he is now employed at a homeless shelter and is on track to graduate with a master’s degree from California State University, Fullerton, this spring. Brock expressed ongoing anxiety following the incident, telling NBC on December 18, “There’s a lot of anxiety still. Even when I just drive my car every day, I am worried about being pulled over and being beaten, and I’m not sure if that’s ever going to go away.” He added, “But this outcome brings me a little bit of peace of mind, as much as it can.”
The case of Deputy Joseph Benza III and the associated dismissals highlight the ongoing scrutiny of police conduct and the push for greater accountability within law enforcement agencies. The legal proceedings and investigations are still unfolding, promising further developments in this significant case.
