A family has filed a civil rights lawsuit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and one of its deputies, alleging the deputy held two minors at gunpoint in Compton following a dispute over a car alarm.
The lawsuit stems from a 2024 incident at the family’s Compton home. Security video shows two juveniles running around the property before they encountered Deputy Max Fernandez, according to the complaint.
The family alleges Fernandez pointed a firearm at the juveniles, threatened their lives and detained them. The family’s attorney, Christian Contreras, said Fernandez had been drinking and became startled when his vehicle’s alarm activated.
Contreras also alleges Fernandez provided false testimony during a prior shooting investigation.
The complaint further alleges Fernandez belongs to a deputy clique known for using excessive force, pointing to tattoos the family says connect him to the group. The family also claims Fernandez has stalked them repeatedly by parking his patrol vehicle outside 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 released the following statement in response:
“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 seeking damages for negligence, stalking, excessive force and emotional distress. They have requested a jury trial.