Lawsuits Unveiled: Women Demand Justice from LA County Sheriff’s Department Following Distressing ‘High Risk’ Traffic Stop

Two women have filed a lawsuit against LA County this week in response to an allegedly abusive traffic stop conducted by the LA County Sheriff’s Department. The incident occurred last year when a domestic abuse survivor advocate, Gabriela Koutantos, was on her way to deliver furniture to a shelter.

The ordeal took place on September 25, 2022, as reported by KTLA. Koutantos was driving a U-Haul van in East LA, with her mother Barbara Kappos following behind. The purpose of their journey was to deliver donated furniture to a local women’s shelter.

During the drive, LA County Sheriff’s Department deputies mistakenly believed that the van had been stolen. They conducted a “high-risk” traffic stop near Atlantic Boulevard and Hubbard Street, during which they allegedly held Koutantos at gunpoint, handcuffed her, and detained her in a police car for an extended period, according to her complaint.

As Koutantos’ mother arrived at the scene of the traffic stop, she witnessed her daughter handcuffed on the ground. In distress, she ran towards the deputies, shouting, “What are you doing? That’s my daughter!” Unfortunately, none of the deputies responded to her pleas, maintaining their focus on Koutantos and their weapons pointed at her. Kappos feared for her daughter’s life, as stated in the complaint.

Ms. Kappos got out of her car and ran up the street toward her daughter shouting, “What are you doing? That’s my daughter!” None of the deputies responded as they continued pointing their weapons at Ms. Koutantos. Ms. Kappos thought the deputies might kill her daughter,” the complaint adds.

According to Koutantos’ lawyer, even after confirming with U-Haul that she had rented the van and providing the rental agreement, the sheriff’s deputies continued to detain her for an extended period. It was later discovered that the van had been stolen over a month earlier and had been recovered within a week of the theft. Koutantos had no involvement in the crime.

Now, Koutantos and her mother are taking legal action against the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Their lawyer accuses the department of using “high-risk” tactics during low-risk traffic stops for nonviolent property crimes. This practice, which the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal declared unconstitutional almost 10 years ago, has allegedly caused physical and emotional distress to Koutantos and her mother.

The tactics employed by the sheriff’s deputies were described as “terrifying and traumatizing,” posing a threat to Koutantos’ physical safety. The complaint also alleges that the Sheriff’s Department continues to defy the Court’s ruling and terrorize innocent individuals in Los Angeles.

It is possible that the LASD violated a 2014 ruling by the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which deemed such traffic stops unconstitutional. Koutantos’ attorney, Brian Olney, expressed outrage at the department’s deliberate policy that disregards the Constitution. He emphasized the importance of holding them accountable, as reported by KTLA.