Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Special Enforcement Bureau member, Gregory Davis, has been charged with allegedly attempting to cover up a fellow deputy’s DUI. The charges were announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.
Davis, 54, is facing five counts related to the alleged DUI of Carlos Lopez that took place last year. Lopez is accused of driving under the influence of alcohol and crashing his LASD SUV in Stevenson Ranch on August 26, 2022.
Prosecutors claim that when Davis arrived on the scene, he removed Lopez’s limp body from the wrecked SUV and placed him in his wife’s vehicle, who then drove him home. Davis is then alleged to have tried to move Lopez’s SUV before an off-duty LAPD officer passing by called authorities. Initially, Davis did not identify himself as an off-duty deputy.
Both Davis and Lopez are members of the department’s Special Enforcement Bureau, which oversees SWAT operations. Davis works for a specialized unit that includes the department’s High-Risk Tactical/Rescue Teams.
Following the crash, Lopez, who was off-duty at the time, was initially reported as missing. He was found less than an hour later at his home.
District Attorney Gascón emphasized that law enforcement accountability is essential for maintaining public trust, and any officer obstructing an investigation into unlawful conduct by another deputy undermines the justice system’s integrity. He stressed that officers who commit misconduct and those who cover it up would be held accountable.
Davis is facing a felony charge of conspiracy to obstruct justice and misdemeanors of giving false information to a police officer and three counts of delaying and/or obstructing an investigation. He is expected to turn himself in on September 27 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
This case serves as a reminder of the crucial role of accountability and transparency in law enforcement and the importance of maintaining public trust in these institutions.