A Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy, Jessica Lynn, has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly stealing money during a traffic stop and subsequently filing a false report to conceal her actions. The 39-year-old deputy now faces charges of concealing evidence, filing a false report, and petty theft not exceeding $950, according to the district attorney’s office.
If convicted on all charges, Lynn could potentially face over six years in prison. District Attorney George Gascón emphasized the importance of upholding the trust placed in law enforcement officers, stating that such breaches undermine the integrity of the justice system and jeopardize the safety of the communities they are sworn to protect.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department promptly relieved Lynn of duty pending the resolution of the case. In a statement, the department emphasized that its personnel are not above the law and must be held accountable for any actions that violate moral and ethical standards. The department conducted an initial investigation into the matter before handing it over to prosecutors, highlighting their commitment to maintaining public trust and expecting personnel to serve with integrity and professionalism.
The incident leading to Lynn’s arrest occurred on April 15, 2023, when she conducted a traffic stop at a strip mall in Whittier around 2:45 a.m. Lynn noticed heavily tinted windows on the vehicle and discovered that the driver did not possess a valid license. During a search of the vehicle, Lynn allegedly found a coin purse containing money, which she is accused of stealing before discarding the purse in a nearby trash can.
The case against Lynn is currently being investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau and the Justice System Integrity Division of the District Attorney’s Office.
It is worth noting that this arrest follows a previous incident involving another deputy, Braulio Robledo, who was accused of stealing from a driver during a traffic stop. However, the district attorney’s office decided not to prosecute Robledo due to a lack of cooperation from the alleged victim.
