Deputy Avoids Felony After Trump-Appointed Deal \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy convicted of using excessive force received a reduced misdemeanor charge through a plea deal offered by Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. The original felony conviction, which barred him from police service, was dismissed despite protests. The case highlights a new federal approach to policing oversight under President Trump.
Quick Looks
- LA Deputy Trevor Kirk’s felony conviction was replaced with a misdemeanor plea deal.
- A jury had found Kirk guilty of excessive force against an older woman recording police.
- The plea deal came after Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli took office.
- Kirk was sentenced to 4 months in prison instead of the potential 10-year term.
- Victim’s attorney said the deal sent a “dangerous message” about police accountability.
- The federal appeals court refused to reinstate the original felony conviction.
- Prosecutors argued Kirk’s actions caused no “serious bodily injury.”
- All four original federal prosecutors on the case withdrew after the plea was struck.
- Trump’s DOJ is rolling back consent decrees and scaling down police reform investigations.
- Legal experts called the post-conviction plea deal “highly unusual” and “unprecedented.”
Deep Look
In a case drawing national scrutiny, a Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy who was convicted by a jury for using excessive force against a civilian has received a drastically reduced sentence—thanks to an uncommon plea deal orchestrated by Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli. The decision to downgrade Deputy Trevor Kirk’s felony conviction to a misdemeanor, despite a federal jury finding him guilty, has reignited debates over federal oversight in police accountability and the politicization of justice.
What Happened: From Felony to Misdemeanor
In June 2023, Deputy Kirk was recorded tackling and pepper-spraying an older woman who was filming a police arrest outside a supermarket. The disturbing footage led to a federal indictment and trial, with a jury convicting him in February 2024 of a felony civil rights violation, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence and automatic disqualification from police service.
Yet, shortly after Trump’s newly appointed U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli assumed office, the Department of Justice reversed course, offering Kirk a post-conviction plea deal: plead guilty to a misdemeanor, get the felony dismissed, and face just one year of probation. Although a judge ultimately imposed a 4-month prison sentence, the move allowed Kirk to avoid the career-ending consequences of a felony.
Essayli defended the decision, citing prosecutorial discretion, a lack of “serious bodily injury,” and his view that Kirk’s actions fell on the lower end of the excessive force spectrum. He also revealed that a similar misdemeanor offer was made under the prior administration but rejected by Kirk before trial.
Legal Experts Cry Foul
Legal experts say the post-verdict plea deal is virtually unheard of in U.S. federal courts.
“It’s very unusual to offer a plea deal after a conviction,” said Jeffrey Bellin, a former federal prosecutor. “Typically, that happens when there’s new exculpatory evidence—not just a change in opinion.”
Philip Stinson, a researcher on police misconduct, said his internal review of over 24,000 police arrest cases in 20 years turned up no precedent for such a federal reversal following a conviction.
Victim’s Attorney: DOJ Changed Narrative
Caree Harper, who represents the injured woman, blasted the plea agreement for rewriting the facts of the case. The original indictment said Kirk “violently threw” her to the ground. The new version presented in the misdemeanor plea alleged the woman “swatted” at the officer and “resisted” — claims not substantiated at trial, Harper said.
Her client suffered a fractured wrist, chemical burns, and multiple contusions, but the DOJ now says the injuries didn’t meet the standard for “serious bodily harm.” Harper warned the case sends a “dangerous message” to law enforcement and the public alike.
“This tells officers they can be convicted of a felony and still negotiate a backroom deal,” Harper said.
Prosecutors Resign in Protest
Court records revealed that all four prosecutors originally on the case withdrew after the deal was introduced. One resigned from the Justice Department entirely, while two others took federal buyout packages. Their departure signals deep internal discord over the direction the DOJ is taking under President Trump’s leadership.
Broader DOJ Pattern Under Trump
The Kirk case is not an isolated incident—it reflects a broader trend under the Trump administration to “unleash” law enforcement, as outlined in an April executive order. This includes:
- Canceling consent decrees aimed at reforming police departments in Minneapolis and Louisville.
- Backing off civil rights investigations initiated during the Biden administration.
- Retracting findings in at least six major police abuse inquiries.
Legal watchdogs argue that such rollbacks strip the DOJ of its traditional role as a federal check on local police misconduct, particularly in cases where local prosecutors may be conflicted due to close working relationships with law enforcement agencies.
“We count on the DOJ to step in when local systems fail,” said Devin Hart, spokesperson for the National Police Accountability Project.
Kirk’s Future and Internal Review
Despite the conviction and the reduced sentence, Kirk remains employed with the LA County Sheriff’s Department, though he is currently relieved of duty pending an internal investigation. A department spokesperson confirmed the agency is assessing whether Kirk violated any internal policies or procedures.
Kirk’s legal team has also indicated plans to appeal the conviction, despite accepting the misdemeanor deal, signaling that the case may not be over yet.
Deputy Avoids Felony Deputy Avoids Felony
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