COMPTON, Calif. () — A family has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and a sheriff’s deputy, alleging the deputy held two minors at gunpoint in Compton over a car alarm.
The lawsuit centers on an incident that happened in 2024 at the family’s Compton home. Security video shows two minors running around their property before, according to the lawsuit, they encountered Deputy Max Fernandez.
The family alleges Fernandez held the juveniles at gunpoint, threatened their lives and detained them. According to the family’s attorney, Christian Contreras, Fernandez was intoxicated and became frightened when his vehicle’s alarm system went off.
Contreras also claims Fernandez gave false testimony in a previous shooting investigation.
The lawsuit alleges Fernandez is part of a deputy gang known for using excessive force, citing tattoos the family says are connected to the group. The family also claims Fernandez has repeatedly stalked them by parking his patrol vehicle outside of their home.
“This family needs protection. These people are innocent. They didn’t do anything wrong. The only thing wrong they did was that these two young boys were playing in their yard when they came across a rogue deputy who has no regard for the law,” Contreras said. “The family tried to be low-key and not bring this up, hopefully it would pass, but this deputy, because his girlfriend lives next door, continues to harass and terrorize this family.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued the following statement:
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has not been formally served with this lawsuit, but the Department takes all allegations of misconduct seriously.Any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation is strictly prohibited and constitutes a clear violation of Department policy.”
The family is suing for negligence, stalking, excessive force and emotional distress. They are requesting a jury trial.
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