Lee Baca's Corruption At L.A. County Jails (HBO)

Lee Baca ran the L.A. County Sheriffs Department for 16 years, until 2014 when he stepped down amid allegations of corruption. Now he is on trial for obstruction of justice, conspiracy and lying to the FBI - and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Deputy James Sexton was the whistleblower who helped bring Baca down. But during his testimony, Sexton implicated himself and was also convicted on federal charges of obstruction of justice.
We spoke to James Sexton just days before he turned himself into prison in August - and he went into detail about the extent of the sheriff's department corruption.
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[@almiralamgirbey9892]

Lmao. Basically law enforcement has no problem with street criminals snitching on other street criminals. But the moment a law enforcement agent snitches on another law enforcement agent committing crimes ( who is a criminal) they have an issue.

[@inferno0020]

Baca thinks he runs a crime syndicate.

[@mrshadowcsvsalitrer1311]

Real Talk 💯

[@jasjuaquin140]

Correct

[@johnniemota9170]

Facts!!!!

[@johnniemota9170]

So they like jumping people and breaking bones but wen people do it to them their cowards

[@Mc007-]

It's amazing how the L. A. DA's office was very quiet doing this whole investigation.

[@gordongrbavac7929]

They where protecting Baca, he is a wife beater...look up his record...the guys is a coward...Lee Baca has much blood on his hands...

[@Mc007-]

Levine Levine Jacky Leisy

[@WLAs_Finest3x]

@Levine Levine no, the city of L.A.'s mayor, his father Gil Garcetti, was the L.A. County district attorney at that time, but this corruption within the Sheriff's department goes back decades way before Gil Garcetti was the D.A. This corruption goes all the way back to the 1980's and even before that when Ira Reiner was the District attorney and when Sherman Block was the Sheriff. Just like the county of Los Angeles, the city of L.A.'s corruption goes all the way back to the 1950's when William Parker was LAPD Chief, way before Darryl Gates. Smh

[@keepinghealthy3332]

The *Kangaroo Court System* They are all *Corrupt* and that included judges, DA, and cops.

[@jimcook7095]

Because they are corrupt also.

[@cosmo-bf6vb]

I remember when I was in county jail in LA, the sheriff's locked me up with another cell mate and make us fight while they gamble. It was nothing new

[@robs453]

Emmanuel Hill men’s central was the worse place I have ever been! It’s pretty inhumane there!!

[@edwinjoseph322]

Rappers who lived in LA has been rapping about this for years

[@cnicole1510]

Right

[@theexpresidents]

and normal people who went to jail......blacks are the minority in La County Jail

[@sickvic13]

Corruption has been around waaaaaay longer than rap tho...it became in empire by the time rappers came around trust me

[@darkmanj666]

Rappers are garbage

[@joeslagunitas5625]

Baca is from a gang that cops started called vikings

[@downtownjb100]

I was there in 2008. It really is hell on earth. The deputies were very abusive to the inmates.

[@adamrodriguez1724]

downtownjb100 same here. 3 months summer of 2008. sureno vs deputies riot day after i was released.

[@psychobillynumbnuts1]

Yup. I was there and sheriffs were always trying to pick fights with me in front of other inmates for no reason. I didn't how to react since you can't look like a coward in jail.

[@rigomartinez8252]

That's that good ol county jail for ya. I started going in, in 04..... and motherfucking deputies were pricks alright. Used to see these fucks beat inmates all the time.

[@enriqueescobedo9108]

Always trying to break your nose 👃 when they'll ask you to face the wall , punk ass pigs.

[@carlitosur7949]

Hell lol i was playing all day long on my cell phone LMAO

[@donguello2281]

I was in the hiring process for the LASD and I withdrew from the hiring process because what I would I didn’t like. I saw a lot of intimidation and i didn’t stand down. I had an arrest for a supposed resisting arrest form a LASD for asking for his badge number. I told my investigator that this sherif was not ethical and wrong for arresting me. My investigator was upset and said that he must have had a good reason. I told her not every deputy had high moral conduct. She denied this idk I informed her of the millions of dollars of budget that the sheriffs department had in their budget for settlements for misconduct. I then reminded her of Lee Baca her previous bosses incarceration. She stood quite and I withdrew. I wanted to be a deputy because I wanted to be what the community needed. A deputy they didn’t fear but respected. I clearly saw my morals of the sheriffs department weren’t to my standard.

[@thatdude8464]

I applied for LASD as well and it’s as intimidating as joining a street gang. The hostility of the whole department made me unsure of working there. Now I got a better paying job that’s got a good and positive vibe to it. The universe saved me from being apart of something evil.

[@petorianoreo429]

In other words, you got disqualified and withdrew before it was official lmao 😂

[@MitchellGarrett-gh9ix]

Good for you.

[@MitchellGarrett-gh9ix]

​@@petorianoreo429In other words you support corrupt convicted cops because you are a boot licker, Now stand upright and give your self a proper reach around until they tell you to bend over again.🤣😂😁😆

[@TheWimmse]

way to encourage the next snitch to help you out FBI...youd get a big middlefinger from my part!

[@LC-xn4dp]

TheWimmse Hurt sherrif^^^

[@TheWimmse]

yes it is illegal, but a young officer who doesnt know this shit and the fucked up system is very likely to just comply - like this guy did. and whatever reasons there are for him wanting to come forward, a reduced sentencing is the LEAST of incentives the authorities should provide to them. they should be thankful they have a whistleblower revealing these huge flaws, but what do they do? punish him, and the higher ups slip through the cracks like the piece said. if the system is corrupt you have to either work outside the system or become corrupt yourselves, your choice. in either way theyd get a middlefinger from me, wouldnt trust them 1bit.

[@Scallycowell]

So your solution is just not to say anything? That's not a solution. It's cowardice.

[@Sneakreaper1]

TheWimmse Maybe the next " young officer" involved will just do society a favor and kill himself.

[@Scallycowell]

Maybe the next Young Turks intern will do the same and kneecap the knee-jerk network they're helping prop up.

[@Tearakan]

If they aren't assaulting you, then let them serve their time. Any cop who abuses their power is a black mark on all cops. We need federal laws that destroy careers of any cop sergeant, captain, lieutenant or chief if they knowingly hide corrupt cops. Criminal charges should be filed and the punishment should be severe. They should also be blacklisted forever from ever working in those fields again. That way you can cut out the assholes and bring actual good human beings into police careers. Also whistleblower laws need to be drastically strength in this country to provide proper protection from legal recourse.

[@samrexroat8473]

amen to that. people in positions of power (even minute ones) rarely, practically never, pay for their wrong- doings. that needs to change.

[@kenbowser5622]

We already have laws. More laws they don't enforce don't help.

[@skyhighpizza1577]

I feel so much glory knowing Lee Bacca has to pay $3.00 for 1 pack of ramen !

@Brent Tanner ^this.

[@joeslagunitas5625]

He helped cover murders at jails and didn't got football numbers and is a gang member of the vikings cops gang

[@edwardrebeaudiii9109]

Lmfao

[@TheConfoqueen]

😅😂😂🥰

[@deebo5051]

Glad to know there are still honest police

[@gregfalco4528]

Where is the honest cop in this whole story?

[@deebo5051]

@@gregfalco4528 the guy talking

[@gregfalco4528]

@@deebo5051 That must be why he received 18 months in prison for obstruction of justice, despite snitching out his cohorts while cutting a deal.

[@urbansledder]

Yeah literally one and he got clowned, beat up, and locked up as a felon for it.

[@MitchellGarrett-gh9ix]

Meh! Not so much.. They are all dirty and corrupt..

[@alexspike7331]

I appreciate ViceNews using subtitles: not all channels do but it makes a world of difference.

[@PureNightfall]

Orange is the New Black just got inspiration for their next season.

[@markmatthews1658]

I spent yrs in LA County Jail & suffered abuse at the hands of these jerks:::

[@harrywalker1621]

Sorry that happened to you bro

[@user-gu1hl2kx2k]

haha

[@Th3Watch3r]

That's terrible. Contact a good lawyer

[@thatdude8464]

@@user-gu1hl2kx2k boot licker

[@casserole2406]

@@Th3Watch3r Lawyers get paid by the hour. Good luck affording one if needed. Plus not too many people care about what happens in jails.

[@snunez1911]

Having been in law enforcement for over ten years.....this is not surprising

[@carlosramirezfabian1256]

Carl James this evil is far worse

[@cd5433]

Just bad apples right ? Your part of this system

[@rsmith24]

This happens everyday, every jail in America

[@artchaidez5372]

This happens all the time in county jails. They should investigate all the jails in the US.

[@dorianpreister3983]

Man I remember hearing about this like it was a yesterday. LA county jail still hasn’t changed. Shits just as bad as it was when lee was in charge

[@elbootz9633]

Yup , lee Becca got caught now Alex Valenzuela is the knew leader pushing the Code of silence nd be more discreet , true organized crime LA COUNTY COPS are the biggest gang

[@RenatoBritto01]

Inteligent way to talk about this case. Good job!

[@electricmagnetic]

no good deed goes unpunished

[@Docstantinople]

James Sexton should negotiated a full immunity deal before turning states evidence.

[@christianmathison1182]

I was in LA County high security single man cells. All the guards were a part of this. If you had an issue with a guard they just took you in the elevator, paused it, and you guys fought. They kicked the hell out of numerous guys this way. I was a Marine so they took good care of me but others weren’t as lucky.

[@FloridaMan786]

Why did you end up in high security at the LA county jail? What were you charged with?

[@toddj9794]

Man. Ol boy stuck his neck out and was just thrown under the bus! Wrong

[@racisttrolling1843]

welcome to every jail in america

[@hardstyle8184]

Racist & Trolling True... but LA COUNTY MCJ is by far the most dangerous in the nation. I was there in 2006 during the 4 day riots. They turned the air ventilation off to the entire jail for 4 days because so much tear gas was deployed throughout MCJ . Craziest experience ever. The worst and most dangerous jail in the country by far. It's sad actually

[@coppercoincollector]

That's racist

[@karlosalcantara3936]

That's racist bro 😁

[@freeway8914]

Sorry kid but here in l.a it's different

[@pauljones7723]

free way don’t talk if you never been anywhere else

[@Chi3fsTA]

The sheriffs have a gang of their own that Lee Baca was apart of, look up The Vikings

[@artwonnowtra1987]

Hey you man, who doesn’t want to be scene on camera, you are brave for this. People from the streets who are also not criminals respect you as well. You are another super hero, we forgive your past doings, you have put balance in this region of the world. You will receive blessings don’t be afraid to accept them.

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

We'd call this the "Good Ol' Boys Club" where I used to work. Those that lie, cheat and backstab their way to the top get prompted and a nice raise by eating the small fry at the bottom. Especially if the small fry make a lot of noise and/or make those at the top look bad. Except for the whole getting thrown in jail and possibly loosing your life thing, you'll see this in everything from a garbage truck driver in a small town all the way up to city hall, and back down again to the contractor that bid the lowest just to scrub the turds out of ol' city mayor's toilet... in his house... on the tax payers dime...

[@bonson9156]

or in the Army National Guard

[@Benson_aka_devils_advocate_88]

Pharpsyde Hope I do not doubt that one bit. It's even worse when you add in the machismo factor to a system that already is based on rank and seniority. (and ty, I didn't realize I had left out some of my comment when I was originally editing things)

[@bonson9156]

Benson anytime man, it's good to see there are good people in the world. I spent 6 years in that system and have had a few breakdowns in the past

[@cainotheconcernedcitizen5196]

Very, very true... It's everywhere!

[@briancook5838]

This Whole World seems to REVOLVE AROUND SNITCHES !

[@mohamedsidiquekallon3300]

wish Africa adopted such kind of policy to eradicate all the corrupt practices

[@eqube9715]

I guess he did not knew about calling for a lawyer. He should've made a deal. Whistle blowers are not protected for what i see.

[@andychen6511]

This 26 years old young jail Deputy has a physical shape of a 80 years old! So out of shape! Terrible!

[@shah1157]

Why has Sheriff Lee Baca never been charged?

[@briancook5838]

Him and Tanaka are both inside now . Somewhere in the Fed System

[@JimCorrigan777]

Holy shit.

[@timgarcia8992]

..... And we should respect the law enforcement,why?

[@kennethjohnson5180]

Trust no law enforcement AT ALL until they have demonstrated respect to the civilians or you

[@g0inturbo]

The new sheriff deputy isn't any better. We need real change

[@jaketapper8910]

You are truly a moron if you think Villanueva is anything like Lee Baca lmao

[@richarddawdy8488]

It's a systematic problem that's been going on for decades.

[@timothy2935]

I did 8 months in the towers when he was in... you guys have no idea how bad it was at the time .

[@carlosramirezfabian1256]

Talk about it

[@waynep343]

a few years ago.. a reporter ask baca about 28 use of force complaints. baca replied to the reporter.. 28!.. have you ever seen my desk.. then baca shut up.. everybody missed the implication.

[@g-bhustlin9192]

“GREAT DEPARTMENT” WTF , HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO COUNTY JAIL ? THAT PLACE IS SO CURRUPT,HELL ON EARTH...

[@christianmathison1182]

I have, twice, and you’re spot on! Worse than anything I’ve ever experienced

[@robbalink]

Good for you sir! THANK YOU FOR BEING ONE OF THE VERY FEW GOOD ONES! GOD BLESS YOU! FTC!

[@anthonysparker9120]

Imagine a rat calling you a rat 🤡🤡🤡

[@gasmonkey5152]

He should be in general population for 6 months. No need to hide him for years.

[@jamelabdur6186]

And when he gets out the feds he still gets his pension,what part of the game is that🤔

[@MegaNiQ]

Welcome to the American justice system.

[@shaanhashmi5836]

These ppl hired in intelligence unit but don’t have any post secondary education, it’s disgusting

[@kats873]

Sexton is a hero.

[@makaynchealhalibbealkhooo9673]

And he still didn’t persecuted for all what he did

[@ChavezDIY]

Very true, after several attempts Baca only got obstruction of an FBI investigation, three years. Shows how hard it is to lock up someone in a position of power.

[@cainotheconcernedcitizen5196]

My brother "passed away in downtown LA's Twin Towers facility last January.. LASD has been going me and my family the runaround.. Anyone else dealing with something similar?

[@BlueberryharmonybonesJohnson]

I want to say I'm sorry about your brother. But they have been doing the women's jails so bad since the 80s. Releasing women after midnight knowing that they don't have any money and buses aren't running. They let serial killers run rampant in La releasing them also giving them fake names and IDs. We still don't know who was doing it was it the DA's office or was it a police officer

[@gordongrbavac7929]

They probably killed him. Look into LACUSC Hospital. They have a place there they call the dungeon, that is the place they give you a lethal injection, then they call it suicide. Check all records and see where he died. I was there, telling you what I witnessed.#Godspeed

[@superduper9superduper920]

Me ...I got storiy

[@albertomoreno1911]

I've seen cell doors opened "magically" and inmates run into the cell, stab someone to death , clean it up than the alarm will go off and nobody saw anything . But the dude that did the stabbing magically has a new tv in his cell and a porter job

[@etarin2017]

I have a feeling Lee Baca was a scapegoat for a lot of the stuff that went on.

[@pamelafranklin3452]

He got what he deserves

[@ihatecrackhead]

Crimes in jail should be proven in about an hour, not 730 days. a report was made then it should take an hour to look up video from that time. there should be nothing else, just done LA jail should be shut down until they can keep videos for 2 years and a government agency should be able to log on check claims in 72 hours or less

[@jackhasselhoff1021]

Thats retarted they can kill you in there ..In 2500 I was beaten after being extracted to go to Infirmary...Cat scans on my head thank God nothing was broken and they threw me in the whole after this gaurd thought he could put his hands on me with no reprisal I defended myself got him good then got beaten for 2 minutes straight with flashlights and batons ever been beaten with a flashlight filled with double ds and 9 boots kicking you at once their hardest ...I had until 2013 to open case 10 years ...Only thing would have happened is they would have beat me to death or put me with enemies

[@douggodfrey6521]

They hook the good officers.into silence.

[@mikeaskme3530]

Unfortunately for society and for us citizens, there is no test available to give those seeking Law Enforcement careers to judge their moral character that is 100% accurate, even more unfortunate for us is this. We shuffle immoral officers from department to department, and it seems the Police Unions are hell bent on us not seeing the previous departments job performance reviews, not that this matters because those in charge who give the performance reviews are or could be just as immoral as the ones they are reviewing. So as a citizen who understands that their job is all encompassing because we wont properly fund other professionals that could alleviate some the duties LEOs are doing, what can we do to make policing safer for all involved. Trust me I am no a$$ kisser when it comes to cops, I would prefer to never talked to one, but that is not a guarantee.

[@omgorangelollipop8184]

LA County Jail was pure intimidation and violence under BACA.

[@kastrofamily6012]

"Muthafuken devils get straight racist when they get you in them lonely dark places" - ice cube

[@dieselburner4461]

Isn’t lee baca free now? Lol

[@thehateugave9699]

Gangsters out here snitching and cops are not 🤔

[@pedroloya6019]

YES FBI WE LOVE YOU!! WE OUR PURE GOLD.

[@MamaTriedSolo]

Know who you work for.

[@Bettinasisrg]

All thanks to the prohibition of alcohol and drugs we've created this money monster that no one in control wants us to stop.

[@cansmashR]

So if he knew britton at the time he would've never say anything?

[@teejones9227]

Nice video

[@joediaz9833]

Wow mr.baca I remember when you worked at the Norwalk station,,the way would think of us like the lowest of the lowest,u were at the time a LT. I had got shot by a drive by it was my brother and I who were shot,u had your eye on me and even wrote a letter to chino informing them to keep an eye on me and that if I would see guy’s from the hood shot us I would seek revenge and u knew nothing about me,now look at u how I would have like to see u and tell you what happen u thought u were so good,above us,look at u now,,straight lied about everything,u were the top sheriff how in the hell u not gonna know what’s going on in your department-lie’s lie’s lie’s-oh yes u knew exactly what was going on!!!! I hope your time in jail is bad to u may u have difficult time in there,it would be for how u and your sheriffs made things bad for us,I hope u fill shame,u deserve the most rough est time,,,u wrote bad things towards us.may u get what u have coming,,, Joey Dee

[@richarddawdy8488]

In 1983, I was a red band trustee in 6000 high power and mental unit. I never seen anything on my shifts

[@godschosenpeople5084]

Lock me up!

[@feeshtacos]

I was locked up during Bacas reign ... it was brutal ...

[@mygirlshair884]

moral of the story: always get a lawyer before talking, even if you're one of the good guys. James Sexton could have secured a deal to keep him out of jail.

[@aaronsoto4622]

He deserves every bit of prison imo. I spent 6 days in LA County Jail. The police in there were corrupt. I got a very sick dose of their corruption after being placed in a cell and officers took turns pepper spraying me and laughing. I was handcuffed on a seat could not move. After that I was thrown into a maximum security cell with two murderers and I almost died. This was after a DUI in 2012. I've never got my story out. I'm a much better person now. Much stronger. I still remember the names of those deputies.. thought about going to the FBI after but was too scared. I still haven't mentally processed all of that pain. I suffered PTSD after that and a case of stockholm sydrome as well.

[@briancook5838]

They’re ALL SICK BITCHES !

[@orestino6212]

You are only hearing one guy telling a story. Obviously he is going to tell it his way. There is a reason he was implicated.

[@donmckinney928]

how many us military bases in the world ? what is the strategerie ?

[@fredlandry6170]

Wow what a shock.

[@TGRgrimreaper209]

Do another video on this I’ma share it to 2.5 million people just do it again

[@kneehigh9861]

Lee caca

[@jameskonzek8892]

I used to think cops were cool when I was a kid.

[@SECRETCINEMALOSANGELES]

JUSTICE HAS BEEN TAKEN HOSTAGE HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY THIS .... MEAN STREETS OF L.A.

[@armoniqfields8016]

2022. Still nothing has been done.

[@deangonzalez1787]

I Shook Hands with Lee Baca Once I Completed VIDA Boot Camp thought he was a good man

[@soylentblue6924]

Ha ha corruption in the system ??? Ha ha of course!

[@DirtyTRoy-hg6re]

Every department has the same dirty fungus! 🤥🚔 dirty gangsters...shame 👮

[@jerrydeloza9915]

Don't ever judge criminal organizations by what law enforcement say I'm confirmed and have litterly had to fight for my life while locked down due to them supposedly "accidentally rolling the wrong doors" before you know it your getting jumped by 3 enemies of another organization. I kept up with 2 things my conditioning and my shank you train yourself to immediately react and focus on your surroundings at all times. God I'm glad I'm through with that life!

[@kassimparekh1639]

California is like it’s on country

[@thegodsgift2008]

Im trying to brag or be all look at me but ive been there personally as a prioner and have dozens of stories with people getting beat and hetting covered up. Ive never said anything because i had a deputy tell me to my face they dont like snitches. And if i had a problem they could fix that. At that time in my life i was in and out a bit and when you see deputies enough to where they know you by name its smart to keep your mouth shut. Ive never told anyone this before and im finding it weird to be telling it here.

[@TaniqueReviews]

Good Video !!!!!

[@troythegreat7369]

Scary stuff man

[@travise.6651]

Come on... Snitches...

[@gthevillain2287]

They should make a full movie about this based on a true story

[@ELKOBRA03]

Lee Baca will never do time I'm sure

[@sharonneethling7778]

When you do bad thing's to people at the end of the day. Bad thing's happen to you. Karma.

[@mofungo8882]

thugs will be thugs.

[@derek20la]

The LA Sheriff's Department under Alex Villanueva has improved inmate treatment a lot over the past several years.

[@ramoncarranza3743]

wow scary

[@benevolent2077]

"A GREAT DEPARTMENT" KID LA BEEN THROUGH MORE SCANDALS THAN THIS SUNNY

[@ab5865303929]

Free masons

[@Ayaki6166]

He went Federal Prison today. Alzheimer is can't excuse in the US.

[@izzgut1219]

we need new Christopher Doner

[@johnnybgood8698]

isreal Ascencion he’s a real hero

[@briancook5838]

You mean D O R N E R ? Yeah , see how THAT ended up , Right ?

[@facesmasher4216]

great mafia video 🎥

[@DonRoberto886]

I fucking love vice!!!

[@fredflintstone6338]

Interesting. More please.

[@makaynchealhalibbealkhooo9673]

Like he said a corrupted cop can ruin too many innocent ppl life’s no questions-asked

[@whatever9042]

You know what’s a better way how about don’t go to jail. This is corruption? Yet the FBI plays side in politics such horse shit

[@avasquez624]

I would locked up in 2002. Trust me I went through All the abuse Calls by the sheriff department