LOS ANGELES (AP) — A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy has been convicted of trying to block a federal investigation into inmate abuse at county jails.
The U.S. Attorney’s office says jurors convicted James Sexton Tuesday on charges of conspiracy and obstruction of justice in a retrial. He’s facing up to 15 years in federal prison.
Prosecutors say that in 2011, Sexton changed jail computer information to help conceal an inmate who was an FBI informant. Authorities claim the inmate was moved from cell to cell under a different name to keep the FBI from interviewing him.
The defense said Sexton followed orders from higher-ups that were designed to protect the informant from bad deputies.
Five sheriff’s employees and a retired lieutenant were convicted earlier. Another 13 deputies await trial on corruption charges.
