LA County Deputy charged with possession of "assault weapon," tracer ammunition

A Los Angeles County deputy has been charged with unlawfully possessing an assault rifle and tracer ammunition.

"While I support the rights afforded to us under the Second Amendment, I also respect the laws of our state. It is illegal to possess an AR-15 assault rifle in California and I expect everyone, including sworn officers, to follow the law," District Attorney George Gascón said. "These weapons have repeatedly led to massive loss of life across this nation and I fully intend to enforce the ban in Los Angeles." 

According to the District Attorney, investigators served a search warrant at Deputy Brandon Garmon's home. They recovered an unregistered AR-15 and incendiary ammunition stored inside the deputy's closet. This case stems from a 2020 warrant. 

Prosecutors charged Garmon with two felonies: possession of an assault weapon and possession of a destructive device. 

"This case originated with, was fully investigated by, and was presented to the Office of the District Attorney for prosecution by members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Internal Criminal Investigations Bureau," the department said in a statement. 

The department placed Garmon on paid administrative leave as they awaited the criminal case. He was suspended without pay following the charges. He will remain suspended until the outcome of the case.

"The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department expects all of its members to hold themselves to the highest ethical and professional standards at all times," LSAD officials said. "Department members who engage in Criminal misconduct, will not be tolerated and will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

In 2016, a similar case happened in San Francisco where Officer Thomas Abrahamsen, 50 was arrested for allegedly manufacturing and possessing an AR-15-style rifle and prohibited parts. The arrest stemmed from a year-long investigation by San Francisco Police Department's Internal Affairs Division. Abrahamsen surrendered to authorities. He was booked on two felonies and was placed on unpaid administrative leave.