Former L.A. County deputy sentenced in DUI crash

A former veteran deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was sentenced today to six months in jail and three years of informal probation for injuring two people when he crashed his department-issued sport utility vehicle into their car a year ago while under the influence of alcohol, said officials with the Orange County district attorney's office.

Robert A. Moran, 43, of Buena Park has almost already completed the jail term under house arrest. He was ordered to complete a three-month first-offender program and face a Mothers Against Drunk Driving panel, according to a statement from the district attorney's office. In such panels, offenders pay MADD a fee to hear victims or relatives of victims of drunk driving crashes relate their stories.

Moran pleaded no contest Feb. 27 to one misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, causing injury and one misdemeanor count of driving with a blood-alcohol level of 0.08% or more causing injury, according to the statement.

Moran was driving his Chevrolet Blazer south on Beach Boulevard in Stanton about 5:30 a.m. June 29, 2008, when he crashed into a sedan near Garden Grove Boulevard, district attorney officials said. The sedan's 33-year-old driver and his 20-year-old female passenger were knocked unconscious and taken to a hospital. At the time of the crash, the sedan's driver was in possession of and tested positive for methamphetamine. He also tested positive for sedatives and opiates, the statement said.

His case is under review, said Keith Bogardus, an Orange County deputy district attorney. His name and the name of his passenger were not released because the investigation is ongoing.

—Ruben Vives

Comments

[El Gavacho]

Another instance where police feel they are above the law. And think that they can flash a badge out of trouble.
If he hadn't of crashed, do you think he would have gotten pulled over if called in for reckless driving.
And who really is drunk at 530 in the morning, must have been a rough night, I do like his dedication to still get up in the morning because of work.

Glad he got caught, hoping to see a day when all cops have to take a polygraph test every year.

But I know that is a dream, then we wouldn't have any law enforcement anywhere.

[Citizen]

We are all human and we make mistakes. He made one and is paying the price. Just because he is a deputy does not mean he is perfect. Gavacho, do you have to take a polygraph at your work? Doubt it. Judging by the victim's level of impairment, hard to tell exactly who was at fault.

[robert evans]

The officer should also be made to attend one year of AA meetings also, whats good enough for the public should be well and good enough for law enforcement also.

[Hobo Mike]

"Robert A. Moran, 43, of Buena Park has almost already completed the jail term under house arrest."

So his "punishment" has been, to stay at home with all his beer and snacks, playing Guitar Hero or surfing Porn for six months?!

What's wrong with this picture?!

[Cgopat]

The deputy deserved what he got. But El Gavacho should take his cop hating comments and go back to Mexico with them.

[SAM]

What?? Why is this guy even out on the streets now?? He's a drunk and sounds like a junkie too! Is he gonna have to actually murder someone behind the wheel next time before the authorities finally pull their heads out of the sand and throw him in jail for good and throw away the keys?? Pathetic! His family must really be proud of him today!

[bruce]

that cop got DUI is nothing, because he's a cop. compare the informant aka Frank Ammarato got away for murder two people, and cover up by FBI agent. I had Memorandum of that informant. the informant has paid no tax for the past 20 years at all. he's got away of that too. he's thinks he's immune. because the FBI cover is up for him. nobody above the law. (I shall send you memorandum, if somebody interest of this case).