L.A. County sheriff's deputy arrested, accused of attacking mother

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested, accused of attacking his mother.

On July 29 deputies responded to a home in East Los Angeles regarding a call for service. The caller indicated the suspect was throwing items inside the garage and was intoxicated.    

Once deputies arrived at the scene they identified the suspect as an off-duty deputy, 45-year-old Antonio Ramirez. 

They asked Deputy Ramirez be removed from the location but according to the sheriff’s department Ramirez resisted arrest, causing deputies to use force to restrain him. 

Prosecutors say he allegedly attacked his 73-year-old mother, who fell to the ground and suffered ‘visible injuries.’ Officials also tell us he was allegedly carrying a dagger. An investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department revealed that Deputy Ramirez had a criminal history and was arrested on July 12, 2016, at which time he was on approved unpaid leave.  

According to a statement issued by the department they say a decision was made by then Sheriff Jim McDonnell’s administration to place Deputy Ramirez on paid administrative leave following his arrest. 

The statement goes on to say “Once the most recent arrest was known, a review of the records concluded that Deputy Ramirez was erroneously placed on paid administrative leave back in 2016, resulting in the payment of salary and benefits up to the present time.” 

The department says Deputy Ramirez has now been placed on an unpaid administrative leave. 

Deputy Ramirez was booked at East Los Angeles Station for multiple felony charges.  If convicted, Ramirez faces a maximum sentence of five years and four months in state prison.