A San Diego County sheriff’s deputy faces federal charges for allegedly using excessive force and writing a false report to cover up what happened, it was announced Friday.
Jeremiah Manuyag Flores, 44, of La Jolla is accused of shoving the victim, being held in pre-trial custody, into the bench and walls of a holding cell in August.
The man suffered a head wound and a spinal injury that required surgery and led to months of hospitalization, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Flores was assigned to the Court Services Bureau at the downtown Central Courthouse at the time.
He has been with the sheriff’s office since November 2021 and a deputy sheriff since February 2023, according to a Friday statement by the sheriff’s department.
San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez said that following an investigation, Flores was placed on administrative assignment.
“The investigation led us to believe criminal actions occurred, and we presented the case to state and federal authorities,” according to Martinez, who also said, “The actions described in this case are unacceptable.”
On Aug. 29, Flores was escorting the victim, a 57-year-old man identified only as J.P., whose hands and legs were in chains.
At the open door of the holding cell, Flores allegedly shoved J.P. inside, sending the victim to the ground. Another deputy found him more than two hours later, still on the ground, suffering from a head wound and lying in a pool of blood, according to prosecutors.
After the incident, Flores allegedly claimed in a report that “no force was used,” and violated sheriff’s department policies by not preparing an official report or immediately telling a supervisor what happened, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Flores is charged in an indictment with deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records in a federal investigation. He faces up to 10 years in prison on the first count and 20 on the second.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges during his initial court appearance Friday.
Flores is out of custody on a $25,000 bond, but must abide by conditions that included surrendering his passport and firearms.
