LOS ANGELES, CA – A former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department custody assistant has pleaded no contest to charges stemming from the sexual assault of a woman in custody at the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station, prosecutors announced Friday.
Daniel Everts entered no contest pleas to three felony charges: forced oral copulation, oral copulation under color of authority, and sexual activity with a detained inmate. The charges relate to an incident that occurred in June 2019, when Everts was employed at the Lancaster jail facility.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Everts used his position of authority to carry out the assault on a female detainee. No further details about the circumstances of the assault were made public.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman condemned Everts’ actions in a statement following the plea. “A member of law enforcement who commits sex crimes against an inmate in their custody deserves to be imprisoned,” Hochman said. “Our prosecutors will vigorously argue for the maximum sentence in state prison.”
Following the 2019 incident, the Sheriff’s Department said it received a complaint regarding the alleged misconduct and immediately launched a criminal investigation. Everts was relieved of duty on June 20, 2019. The case was referred to the District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration less than three weeks later.
In a statement, the LASD said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any personnel involved in criminal conduct, particularly cases involving abuse of individuals in custody.
“We have zero tolerance for any Department personnel involved in criminal conduct or actions that violate the rights of individuals in our custody,” the department said in a press release issued Saturday. “Upholding the safety, dignity, and rights of all individuals is paramount, and we are committed to holding all employees accountable to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.”
Everts is scheduled to be sentenced on July 7. Prosecutors are seeking an eight-year sentence in state prison. If the plea agreement stands, he will also be required to register as a sex offender for 20 years.
