Former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Angel Reinosa has been charged with falsely reporting that he had been shot by a sniper while in the parking lot of the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station on August 21, 2019, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

At the time it was reported Reinosa’s life was saved because he’d been wearing a bullet-proof vest, and the deflected bullet just grazed his shoulder.

As a result of Reinosa’s report and the alleged gunshot wound, Lancaster Station personnel deployed massive resources to search the surrounding neighborhood for a suspect.

Within a few days, however, investigators learned that Reinosa had completely fabricated the entire incident and there was no sniper, no shots fired and no injury sustained by Reinosa. Immediately following, the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau launched a criminal investigation.

After detectives determined Reinosa’s account of the incident was a complete lie, the criminal investigation focused on his criminal actions. A short time later, Reinosa was fired by the Sheriff’s Department.

The investigation was subsequently presented to the District Attorney’s Office for consideration of filing criminal charges. On January 16, the DA’s Office filed three counts against Angel Raul Reinosa and a warrant was issued for his arrest. All charges are pertaining to the Workman’s Compensation claim.

He was arrested, transported and booked at the County Jail Inmate Reception Center, where his bail was set at $40,000. If convicted as charged, Reinosa faces a possible maximum sentence of five years and six months in county jail.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva issued a statement after learning that Reinosa’s charge was bogus: “During the investigation, we had suspicions concerning the validity of the claimed assault but had to exercise care before accusing an employee of making false statements.”

“After investigators were able to establish the facts, we were compelled to share the disappointing truth in our wish to be transparent with the public.”

“I will not tolerate anyone who willfully violates their oath of office, makes a false police report, wastes valuable public safety resources, and causes fear in the community. Those who choose to violate the public’s trust will face at minimum termination and potential criminal prosecution.”