A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy has been found guilty of excessive force after a jury determined he assaulted and pepper-sprayed a woman outside a Lancaster supermarket in June 2023.
Trevor James Kirk, 32, a resident of Santa Clarita, was convicted on one felony count of deprivation of rights under color of law, according to federal prosecutors. The charge stems from an incident that took place outside a WinCo Foods store on June 24, 2023.
Incident at WinCo Foods
During the trial, which lasted three days, prosecutors presented evidence detailing the events leading to the conviction. Deputies had been dispatched to the supermarket following a report of a potential robbery involving a male and female suspect. Upon arriving at the scene, officers detained and handcuffed a man matching the reported description.
A woman, identified in legal documents as “J.H.,” began recording the arrest on her cellphone, questioning the officers and reminding them of their obligation to justify the detention. She also stated that she was broadcasting the event live on social media.
Kirk, without issuing a verbal warning, attempted to seize her phone. When J.H. turned away, Kirk grabbed her arm, placed a hand behind her neck, and forcefully threw her face-first onto the pavement.
As she lay on the ground, Kirk ordered her to “get on the ground” despite her already being restrained. She responded, “It’s already on YouTube Live,” signaling that the footage had been broadcast.
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Kirk then pressed his knee onto her shoulder, and when J.H. pleaded for him to stop, he raised his clenched fist, warning, “Stop or you’re gonna get punched in the face.” He later shifted his knee onto her neck, causing J.H. to struggle for breath.
She was heard gasping, “I can’t breathe.”
Escalation and False Report
As Kirk restrained J.H., he used his department radio to falsely report that he was engaged in a physical altercation. Moments later, without issuing any additional commands, he deployed pepper spray directly into her face—twice.
At the time, J.H. was only holding a pair of prescription sunglasses and a cloth surgical mask in her hands.
Following the incident, J.H. received medical attention for blunt-force trauma to her head, as well as injuries to her arms, wrist, and face. She also suffered the effects of the pepper spray.
Legal Consequences
After hearing the evidence, the jury convicted Kirk, and he is now awaiting sentencing. United States District Judge Stephen V. Wilson has scheduled the sentencing hearing for April 21. If given the maximum penalty, Kirk could face up to 10 years in federal prison.
The FBI, with assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, conducted the investigation. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eli A. Alcaraz, Brian R. Faerstein, and Michael J. Morse of the Public Corruption and Civil Rights Section.
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