A Los Angeles police officer who struck a man 45 times with a baton during a violent confrontation was sentenced to one year in prison Friday, marking the conclusion of a case that drew sharp condemnation from civil rights advocates. The officer, Juan Anthony Carrillo, 46, had pleaded guilty in July to depriving the man of his constitutional rights under color of law.

The January 2022 assault left the victim, identified in court records as R.V., with a broken bone in his foot and severe cuts on both legs. Witnesses testified that his screams could be heard during the 41-second beating, which Carrillo carried out despite the victim remaining largely immobilized by another officer. Prosecutors revealed that Carrillo, armed with a 22-inch baton, struck R.V. repeatedly while the second officer, significantly larger than the victim, pinned him to the ground.

Federal prosecutors criticized Carrillo’s actions as a stark violation of public trust. United States Attorney Martin Estrada emphasized the importance of accountability in law enforcement. “When an officer acts in a manner that violates the civil rights of another person, we will respond to uphold the rule of law and maintain public trust in our system of justice,” Estrada said, while also praising the integrity of the majority of officers who serve with professionalism.

Carrillo’s defense argued for leniency, citing the difficult circumstances officers face daily. However, Judge Wesley L. Hsu underscored the severity of the offense during sentencing, noting that Carrillo compounded his misconduct by filing a report the day after the assault, which prosecutors described as “misleading and false.” The report omitted the number of baton strikes and falsely claimed that R.V. had resisted.

The case underscores ongoing challenges surrounding excessive force in policing. Donald Alway, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, called the incident “disturbing” and inconsistent with the high standards expected of law enforcement. Carrillo, who faced a potential 10-year prison sentence under the original charges, will serve one year under the plea deal, a decision that has sparked debate about justice and accountability.