LA County sheriff's deputy charged with destroying evidence, assault during 2019 incident

LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced Tuesday that a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy has been charged with altering evidence where she allegedly assaulted a man during an arrest in Lancaster two years ago.

"Tampering or destroying evidence tarnishes law enforcement and creates mistrust among the public," District Attorney Gascón said.

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Nicole Bell, 27, was charged with one felony count each of accessing and altering computer data without permission, altering, planting or concealing evidence as a peace officer and assault by an officer.

The case was filed for a warrant on June 4. 

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Bell's arraignment is expected to be scheduled at a later date.

On July 30, 2019, Bell responded to a call in Lancaster. Bell is accused of assaulting a man while he sat in the back of a patrol vehicle.

A family member recorded some of the incident on a cell phone and Bell allegedly deleted the video from the phone.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.