Los Angeles sheriff's deputy pleads guilty to federal civil rights offense for assaulting transgender man

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Joseph Benza III pleaded guilty to a federal civil rights offense for attacking Emmett Brock, a transgender man, in February 2023. The incident occurred after Brock flipped him off while driving. Benza followed Brock for nearly two miles before violently assaulting him in a 7-Eleven parking lot. He initially lied about the encounter to the FBI and in his incident report, claiming he stopped Brock for a traffic violation. Benza faces up to 10 years in prison. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has released him from duty, and further disciplinary actions may be taken against other involved deputies.