Silence About Deputy Ends Case

Charges against an alleged drug trafficker were dismissed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday when the prosecution refused to disclose information about a sheriff’s deputy who was suspended for declining to cooperate with an internal investigation.

Superior Court Judge Roosevelt Dorn dismissed charges against Juan Martin Acton Rodriguez, 27, after meeting in chambers with Acton’s lawyer, Donald C. Randolph, and Deputy County Counsel Dixon Holston.

According to Randolph, the judge agreed that information sought by the defense about one of the arresting officers, Deputy Robert Esquivel, was relevant to the case and should be disclosed.

Acton, a Mexican national who lived in El Monte, was arrested in South Los Angeles last November when deputies said they found two kilograms of cocaine under a seat of his car. Prosecutors subsequently charged Acton with possessing and transporting cocaine.

Just before the trial, however, Randolph said that he was advised by Deputy Dist. Atty. Nancy Lidamore that Esquivel had been relieved of duty for refusing to cooperate in an internal investigation of drug-money skimming.

The widespread probe has resulted in the suspension of 26 deputies, 10 of whom have been indicted. One has pleaded guilty.

Sheriff spokeswoman Sgt. Lynda Edmonds said Friday that Deputy Esquivel was relieved of duty on March 16 for declining to discuss an allegation that he had engaged in misconduct while on duty.