LOS ANGELES
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced Wednesday that a Baldwin Park police officer has been charged with the on-duty assault of a 16-year-old he placed under arrest, officials stated.
“Those who wear the uniform must follow the law. Excessive force will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County,” District Attorney George Gascón said.
Ryan Felton (dob 6/11/86) was charged in case BA499779 with two felony counts of assault under the color of authority. The case was filed for a warrant Tuesday, according to officials.
He pleaded not guilty Wednesday the charges and is expected to return for a preliminary hearing setting on December 7 in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
On September 22, 2019, Felton and another officer were involved in a pursuit of a vehicle that had allegedly failed to yield during a traffic stop. The vehicle stopped and a youth exited and is accused of running away.
Prosecutors allege that Felton got out of his vehicle and gave chase on foot. A short time later, the teen surrendered and laid face down on the ground. Felton is charged with kicking the teen while he was on the ground and assaulting him while he sat in the back of Felton’s squad car, according to prosecutors.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.