Los Angeles Police Officer Alejandro Castillo was found guilty Monday for lying about a motorist’s allegedly unsafe driving during a driving under the influence investigation three years ago, officials stated.
“When an officer lies in the course of their investigation, it can have devastating consequences, including wrongful incarceration and sometimes wrongful convictions,” District Attorney George Gascón said. “This is why my office takes perjury by law enforcement very seriously. We cannot have the people we entrusted to take away a person’s liberty lying in their official capacity. I am pleased that the jury saw the injustice in this case and the officer will be held accountable for his actions. I am also thankful for the hard work of the trial team who secured a victory in this case.”
A jury deliberated for two hours before finding Castillo, 50, guilty of one felony count each of filing a false report and perjury. Sentencing is set for May 12. He is facing up to four years and eight months in state prison.
On Oct. 18, 2019, a man was driving in the Hollywood area and was stopped by the defendant for allegedly making an unsafe left turn. The driver was given a sobriety test and arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.
Castillo filed a police report, claiming the driver made an unsafe left turn in front of oncoming traffic that nearly caused an accident. Body-worn camera video showed the driver waited for all vehicles to pass before making a left turn.
Castillo filed a false declaration under penalty of perjury as well as a false police report.
Case was investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Internal Affairs Group.