Case against convicted L.A. County sheriff's deputy remains active after federal judge's decision to uphold charges
In a striking turn of events, U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson has denied a request to dismiss charges against LA County Sheriff's Deputy Trevor Kirk, who was found guilty of using excessive force during a 2023 arrest.
The controversy surrounding this case began when the current U.S. Atty., Bill Essayli, offered a lenient postconviction plea deal to Deputy Kirk. This decision, viewed as controversial and lenient, led to the resignation of key prosecutors, including the heads of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights sections.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Robert J. Keenan argued that the office found no new evidence but was not comfortable with how acts of resistance were presented and characterized in the case. Prosecutors, in seeking to dismiss charges without presenting any new evidence after a defendant has been convicted by a jury, have less precedent in a case like Kirk's.
Jacy Houseton, the victim in Kirk's case, objected to the government's motion to dismiss, calling it "unprecedented" and "unjustified." In his opening statement during Kirk's trial, Assistant U.S. Atty. Brian R. Faerstein told jurors that Kirk used excessive force against Houseton by slamming her to the ground and pepper-spraying her when it was unnecessary.
In handing down the four-month sentence, Judge Stephen V. Wilson said that Kirk's actions were "just plain inexplicable" and that he knew there was no danger to himself or anyone else before he pepper-sprayed Houseton. Prosecutors under Essayli asked for Kirk to be sentenced to probation, but Wilson denied the request.
The resignations of several prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's office in Los Angeles in May 2025 were triggered by Essayli's decision to offer a lenient postconviction plea deal to Deputy Trevor Kirk. This decision, viewed as controversial and lenient, led to the resignation of key prosecutors, including the heads of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights sections.
Following these resignations, prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the charges against Kirk, citing "misgivings about the case." The motion to dismiss came shortly after the Trump administration moved to extend Essayli's term as Los Angeles' top federal law enforcement official despite bypassing the normal confirmation process for such appointments. This dismissal motion also involved another controversial case connected to Andrew Wiederhorn, a Trump donor.
Activists confronted Keenan in the hallway after the hearing, telling him "this is bigger than Kirk." Raycine Ector, the lead organizer of Cancel the Contract Antelope Valley, a community coalition advocating for ending contracts between the Sheriff's Department and local cities and schools, was among those who confronted Keenan.
Caree Harper, a victim's rights attorney, celebrated the ruling as a minor victory. She emphasized that this decision sends a clear message that no one is above the law, especially those in positions of power.
The conviction of Trevor Kirk underscores the importance of holding law enforcement officers accountable for their actions and upholding the principles of justice and fairness. The case has sparked a wider debate about political influence on prosecutorial decisions and the need for transparency and integrity in the justice system.
[1] Los Angeles Times, "Prosecutors resign in controversy over lenient plea deal for LA Sheriff's deputy," May 2025. [2] CNN, "Federal judge rejects lenient plea deal for LA Sheriff's deputy convicted of excessive force," June 2025.
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