Former VA Officer Sentenced for Excessive Force

Juan Anthony Carrillo, a former police officer with the Veterans Affairs Police Department, has been sentenced to one year in federal prison for using excessive force against an unarmed man. On January 16, 2022, Carrillo struck the victim, referred to as R.V., approximately 45 times with a baton in less than a minute while the victim was being restrained by another officer. The beating occurred at the West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where the victim was suspected of carrying drug paraphernalia. Carrillo, who was significantly larger than the victim, delivered most strikes while the other officer was on top of R.V., who was unarmed and unable to defend himself. The victim sustained severe injuries, including cuts and a broken bone in his foot. Carrillo pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law, admitting to the excessive use of force, and was sentenced on July 26, 2024.