L.A. County sheriff's deputy convicted of assaulting ex-girlfriend

A Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy faces up to 18 years in prison after an Orange County jury found him guilty of kidnapping, falsely imprisoning and assaulting his ex-girlfriend with a firearm.

Sean Paul Delacerda, 27, of Fullerton, a four-year veteran of the department, was convicted Thursday after jurors heard how he broke into the home of a former girlfriend in April 2010 and held her at gunpoint while accusing her of cheating.

L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca began firing proceedings Thursday against Delacerda, who was relieved of duty after the incident.

He was convicted of felony assault with a firearm, kidnapping, false imprisonment by violence and one misdemeanor count of domestic violence battery for breaking into the woman’s Fullerton home when she was out and waiting for her to return.

When she arrived, Delacerda pulled out the gun, loaded one bullet into the cylinder and forced the woman to show him her emails.

The woman tried to flee as the deputy was reading the messages, but Delacerda tackled her, climbed on top of her and covered her mouth as she screamed, prosecutors said.

He then put the gun in his mouth and pulled the trigger -- it clicked but did not fire, prosecutors said.

Next, he pointed the gun at the woman and pushed her into a closet while he continued to pore over her emails. She finally escaped in her car as he chased after her, prosecutors said.

During the trial, Delacerda admitted breaking into the woman's home, loading the bullet into his gun and waiting 11 hours for his girlfriend, prosecutors said in a statement.

Delacerda insisted during the trial that he never assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

He faces up to 18 years in prison when he is sentenced June 3. He was being held without bail in Orange County.

ALSO:

Police officer fired amid charges that he demanded sex from women

Man's body found in skid row hotel

Boy shot while walking to high school

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Sean Paul Delacerda. Credit: Orange County district attorney's office

Comments

[Esoterico]

I thought they ran psychological tests on law enforcement candidates. This guy either outwitted the test or law enforcement needs to come up with a new exam.

[Mike]

Its funny who cares its just a girl. Their are thousands out there.. Let he cheat, see ya and move on.

[Bill]

Good!

[ten29me]

That is what you get when departments lower their standards,,,,,,I remember when you went through hoops to land a great job as a police officer,,,they would do a full complete background,,Sorry to say todays cops not all have no sense of loyalty to family ,friends ,and employers,,,,,,,,,,,,to all you dumb young cops theirs a lot of fine ladies out there,,,,,"DONT LET ONE PERSON SPOIL YOUR LIFE",,,,JAIL TIME ?,,,,,,,STUPID,,,,,,,,,

[Mateo]

Was he on paid leave during this whole time?? If so then he should pay the city back after finding him guilty.

[Stan Switek]

Some people cant handle rejection. What a dummy...

[LOU]

macho sheriff Joe Apairo of Arizona would have had this rogue cop in the chain gang uniform cleaning toilets, liberal californis he will got off easy.

[world view]

I love it when a wild boar gets it !

[Brayton]

Another of "Our Finest" has proven that the police are often just crimainals with a badge. I will never trust a cop nor will anyone I raise. They are slowly becoming as corrupt and repugnant as the worst of 'third World' countries. Yet another soiled public 'servant'. Makes me sick.

[Sheryl]

WOW !!!!! AMAZING .... these are the kind of people that are protecting our city. I know a lot of people in the law inforcement and half of them are off their rockers... the things they do , we would be locked up doing life sentences.... I have had many situations dealing with the police and they are all criminals with badges.... and not there when you really need them ....

[Smitty]

Soooo did she cheat?

[Gary M]

This is the LA County Sheriff Department. The same department that had a fight at their XMAS party and assaulted each other. It is not a surprise that they would assault citizens.
Leroy Baca must go and that goof Sgt Whitmore also.

[Gallo]

Well there you have it. It goes to show that a person who wears a badge and a gun is not exempt from being above the law. I am more than sure you have multiple law enforcements figures that commit crimes and hide behind the badge or the law. Some of these guys are more criminal than the criminals. They know exactly what to say and how to govern themselves when applying for law enforcement jobs. Most aspire to be in these job capacities because it makes them feel they are above the law and can get away with much. They don't take the job meaningful. Its just flexing their muscle.

[Mike]

I moved here from the UK 40 years ago and came here with a great respect for cops - I lost that respect long ago. US Cops are no better than the Gestapo of WW2 and the Texas cops and legal system by far the worst. Gestapo = German States Police. Testapo = Texas State Police They have the same mentality. As for the Texas legal system - that equates to the "guilty until proven innocent" mentality. As for Sherif Joe Araipo of AZ, He would have promoted this thug long ago.

[tim]

I'll guess she won't cheat again

[TonyS]

My comment is to Brayton....you've got a lot of gall making a stupid remark like that. So you're going to brainwash your kids into not trusting the cops, because you've probably had negative experiences....let them grow up on their own and learn for themselves. With your way of thinking, they'll be behind bars early in life.

[Castaway]

This is the normal police...what's so suprising here? seriously...

[I know!]

Surprise surprise!

People act like cops are clean, righteous, lawful individuals.
Cops are the biggest criminals. They too are gangs, with the exception of laws being on their side.

This is nothing new. If we believe cops are anywhere near being better than your average criminal, then we are idiots.

[Riley]

This type of scum deserves no special accomodations which cost the taxpayer extra. General population is the ticket.

[Dan m]

Maybe all aspects of the Psych exam should be enhanced and taped, so we can learn where the problem in the test is that an unstable, immoral idiot like this guy gets hired. And maybe "We the People" should have access to it. And maybe "WTP" should VOTE these guys into their job after WE "interview" these candidates. It's OUR safety, after all.

[Scott]

Bad cop, no donut.

[Corina Griffin]

How about those "background checks"... Are we giving jobs to whomever these days? I can not tell you how many police officers I have seen who are act like walking time bombs. So sad.

[John]

I hope his cellmate dosent cheat on him.

[Donovin]

LOL @ "I hope his cellmate dosent cheat on him." - John. That is classic. I'll never understand why people get so possesive when there are millions...err billions of other fish in the sea. Guess its human nature for some. Glad that's not apart of my DNA!

[devil]

proverbs 284 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.