John Abel Baca, a former Inglewood Police Department officer, was sentenced to two and a half years in federal prison for stealing cocaine from inmates and reselling it on the street.
Baca, 48, a Whittier resident who had a 21-year career with the Inglewood Police Department, was also a union representative.
The former officer was sentenced by Judge Jame V. Selna, who ordered him to pay a fine of $40,000.
Baca was found guilty of abusing his authority as a law enforcement officer. He had been selling drugs since early 2020.
The Latino former police officer pleaded guilty in October 2023 to one count of cocaine distribution.
“The defendant – a veteran of the Inglewood Police Department – abused his position as a law enforcement officer to carry out his drug trafficking activities,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada. “I thank the Inglewood Police Department for bringing to justice the defendant, someone who violated his oath to protect the public.”
“Former Officer Baca has tarnished his badge and dishonored the many who serve and protect our communities with integrity,” added Akil Davids, assistant director in charge of the FBI office.
“The case serves as a reminder that no one is above the law and that criminal conduct will not be tolerated.”
According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Baca distributed cocaine on two occasions, the first time in April 2021 to a buyer.
He then delivered approximately one kilogram of cocaine to the same buyer during a delivery in May 2021 in exchange for $22,000 in cash.
In February 2021, the undercover buyer reported to the FBI that Baca, then an active law enforcement officer, had previously offered to sell him one kilogram of cocaine, two kilograms of “China Blanca” heroin, and an unlimited amount of black powder heroin. The buyer reported that Baca conducted the transactions while he was an IPD officer.
Baca’s failed business deal fell apart when a secret meeting he had in late April 2021 was recorded. Baca provided a sample of the cocaine to the buyer, who was then asked to deliver it to his intended buyers.
During that meeting, Baca also offered the buyer a kilogram of “China Blanca” heroin for $10,000.
Several days later, the former police officer negotiated the price of a kilogram of cocaine for $22,000 in cash, and then sent a brick of cocaine to the buyer’s workplace on May 4, 2021.
That same day, John Abel Vaca collected the money at the buyer’s residence.
“Double standard of justice”
Najee Ali, director of the Islamic Hope Project and an activist in the African-American community, reacted to the sentence of the Hispanic ex-policeman saying that it was “a disgrace.”
“It’s a shame because not only did this police officer betray the trust of the community, but he should have received a longer sentence and spent more time in prison,” Ali said.
“This is a double standard of justice, because young African-American and Latino men are severely punished when they are accused of crimes like those committed by the police officer.”
Lee Bailey, an expert in urban culture, expressed his disbelief at the sentence imposed on the Latino ex-policeman in a similar vein.
“That is not justice at all,” he said. “It is a slap in the face; I cannot understand how the judge came to that decision,” he added. “It is unfair. I am not aware of a statute or any kind of limitation that was imposed on the judge. It would be interesting to know how that happened, with only two and a half years of federal prison.” [para John Abel Baca]”.
Sexual abuse
Another case involving a law enforcement officer in a felony involved Sean Essex, a former deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
In January of this year, Essex was sentenced to 40 years in state prison by Judge George Gonzalez Lomeli, after he pleaded no contest to the charge of sexually abusing four girls between the ages of 4 and 13. One victim was abused in 2006, while three more were abused between 2013 and 2022. Essex must also register as a sex offender.
“The horrific sexual abuse that Mr. Essex inflicted on these young victims has not only violated his oath as a law enforcement officer to protect and serve the community, but has also left these children with lifelong trauma,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said at the time.
“Children have an inviolable right to safety and protection. The victims have shown tremendous courage in coming forward and speaking out about the abuse they suffered at the hands of Mr. Essex,” Gascón said.
“Our office’s Office of Victim Services will continue to offer assistance and resources to victims and their families to help them heal as they deal with this trauma.”