LA County Sheriff Robert Luna gives update on WeHo Pride arrest

West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station will begin having quarterly meetings with members from the trans community

By PAULO MURILLO

WEST HOLLYWOOD - Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna posted a statement on LASD official social media platforms to update the public on the arrests of a trans person who uses the name Xodiac Rose and their friend Abby Nicole Miller who were both apprehended during the WeHo Pride Street Fair on June 3, 2023, in West Hollywood.

Sheriff Luna reiterated that Rose had a warrant for their arrest and Miller was arrested for trying to intervene in the arrest.

Videos of both arrests went viral on social media, sparking outrage and raising questions about the legitimacy of their arrests and whether the use of force was necessary at a WeHo Pride event that ’ s supposed to be a safe space for LGBTQ+ people.

According to witnesses, two sheriff deputies allegedly pointed at a sign that read “ No Cops at Pride” and laughed. Zodiac Rose approached the two deputies and said something along the lines of, “This is why we don’t want cops at Pride, don ’ t laugh at our sign.” Then moments later Zodiac was tackled to the ground and arrested, “ This is what we mean, this is what we mean,” a video shows Zodiac screaming while being face down on the ground with their hands behind his back. “He was laughing at something homophobic. He was being homophobic. He was laughing at Liberation Fight. I told him he shouldn t be here. I told him, no cops at pride, and now they’re detaining me. I only said four words.”

When Abby Nicole Miller tried to intervened by demanding to know why Xodiac was being arrested, she too found herself on the ground and was also arrested. Videos show Miller on her knees with her backpack on her chest demanding to know why she was being arrested. She alleges her earing was ripped out of her ear during the arrest.

Sergeant Jason M Duron of the West Hollywood Sheriff ’ s Station denied that Sheriff deputies engaged in homophobic slurs during his report on crimes and public safety at the most recent Public Safety Commission meeting on Monday, June 12, 2023. He said he believed body cam footage will eventually tell the full story, adding that when a person has an arrest warrant for battery, that the LASD protocol is to make the arrest with guns drawn, something the deputies did not do when they weighed the situation and the location of the arrest. He also added that a third person offered to join the two being arrested to try to calm the situation. man in a ski mask and the deputy did not detain him.

Sheriff Luna says a warrant was issued for Xodiac ’s arrest by a judge on May 31, 2023.

Sheriff Luna says the District Attorney ’ s Office reduced the charges to a vandalism charge against Xodiac Rose. He says charges for Thomas are pending with the District Attorney ’ s Office, but Smith revealed in a GoFundMe campaign for Xodiac that she was released around 7pm the same day she was arrested with no bail, but she has a date to appear in court for a misdemeanor charge of “ Obstructing a Public Officer.”

Sheriff Luna states that he met with LGBTQ+ Leaders on Friday, June 9, 2023, regarding the Transgender Community. Sources report that there was a discussion on excessive force when arresting trans individuals, misgendering, as well as dead naming a person during an arrest. “ As Sheriff of Los Angeles County, it is my commitment to improve relationships with our Transgender Community and every Community that we serve in Los Angeles County,” reads the statement. “We want to hear all voices and build coalitions with our Community Partners.”

The statement also reveals that LASD is currently in the process of setting up a LGBTQ+ Advisory Working Group for the Sheriff s Department. This group will serve as an advocacy group for concerns of the LGBTQ+ Community and make recommendations to improve training and our service to the LGBTQ+ Community.

“On Saturday, June 3, 2023, deputies saw Darling [Xodiac Rose ’s legal name] during a “Pride Weekend ” event. Because of the location of the suspect and event, West Hollywood deputies devised a plan to quickly and safely take the suspect into custody. West Hollywood deputies arrested Darling and booked them at West Hollywood Station for robbery, vandalism, and battery. During Darling’s arrest, Abby Nicole Thomas, a friend of Darling ’s, intervened and prevented the deputies from safely completing the arrest. Thomas was also arrested and booked for interfering and obstructing an arrest.”

The details of the alleged robbery, vandalism and battery are still under investigation, however, according to reports, Xodiac was captured on video flailing their arms aggressively at a protestor during Drag Queen Story Hour event in West Hollywood and at one point, took the protester s phone, but allegedly gave it back. The same protester was punched on the head in front of deputy by a

“ We have a newer curriculum of LGBTQ+ Training which is approved by the California State Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST),” said Sheriff Luna. “ We are always looking at ways to enhance and improve our training that we provide for our personnel. This training will eventually be expanded to the entire Department. At each of our Sheriff Stations, we will seek Community input to fashion an addendum to the LGBTQ+ Training that will be area specific to each Sheriff’ s Station area.”

Sheriff Luna also states that the West Hollywood Sheriff ’ s Station will begin having quarterly meetings with members from the transgender community. “This is an opportunity to build relationships, resolve issues, and improve training,” he said. “ We want to change the paradigm, not only for our West Hollywood Community, but for our entire Los Angeles County Community. We want our Sheriff ’ s Stations to be considered safe places for everyone.”