News Releases

August 25, 2021: Sheriff’s Deputies Charged With Lying About Using Force During 2018 Incident in East Los Angeles

Contact: 
Greg Risling, Assistant Media Chief
(213) 257-2000

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were charged today for filing a false report that covered up one of the deputies allegedly using excessive force during an arrest in September 2018.

“Peace officers must do their job lawfully and truthfully,” District Attorney Gascón said. “There is no place in law enforcement for officers who use illegal force and then lie to cover up their crime or the crime of another officer.”

Woodrow Kim (dob 3/2/82) and Jonathan Miramontes (dob 6/8/91) were each charged in case BA498018 with one felony count of filing a false report. Kim also faces one felony count of assault under the color of authority.

They are expected to be arraigned tomorrow in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

On Sept. 19, 2018, both defendants responded to an assault with a deadly weapon call involving occupants in a black BMW who had allegedly threatened a motorist with a gun. Kim and Miramontes were involved in a short pursuit with the car that ended in Ruben Salazar Park.

Kim and Miramontes allegedly pursued the pedestrian in their patrol vehicle. Kim is accused of opening the driver’s side door and knocking the man to the ground.

Both defendants are accused of lying in their reports about what transpired.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau.