United States: Law Enforcement Targets Cerise Castle in Brazen Surveillance Campaign
Castle’s investigative reporting on deputy gangs within the LASD has led to extensive surveillance and harassment by the department
Location: United States, Los Angeles
Date: July 17, 2024
Women Press Freedom is deeply alarmed by the recent revelations of extensive surveillance and harassment conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) against journalist Cerise Castle. This pattern of behavior by LASD is not only an affront to Castle’s rights as a journalist but also sets a dangerous precedent that could deter other journalists from pursuing investigative reporting on law enforcement and other powerful institutions. The systematic monitoring of Castle and those associated with her work, as well as the creation and distribution of dossiers containing sensitive personal information, are actions more befitting a surveillance state than a democracy committed to transparency and accountability. Women Press Freedom condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms. We call on LASD to immediately cease all surveillance and harassment of journalists and to commit to protecting press freedom. We also urge local, state, and federal authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into LASD’s conduct and to hold accountable those responsible for these egregious violations.
Cerise Castle, a journalist renowned for her probing investigations, has revealed the extensive surveillance she endured by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) following her exposé on deputy gangs within the department. The findings, originally published by LA Public Press, highlight a disturbing pattern of systematic monitoring and harassment, raising significant concerns about press freedom.
“We are deeply concerned by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's surveillance of journalist Cerise Castle,” says Inge Snip, senior editor at the Women Press Freedom newsroom, an initiative by the Coalition For Women In Journalism. “We have documented a troubling rise in legal harassment and police interference with journalists in the US. Such actions are not only a gross abuse of power but also undermine the essential role of journalists in a democratic society, where they must be free to investigate and report without fear of retribution or surveillance."
Castle’s comprehensive series, “A Tradition of Violence,” meticulously documented the existence and operations of deputy gangs within LASD. Shortly after its publication, internal email records show that LASD personnel, including senior officials, began closely monitoring her activities.
The LASD, under the leadership of Sheriff Robert Luna, has denied surveilling journalists, asserting a commitment to transparency and press freedom. However, the released emails, all dating from the tenure of former sheriff Alex Villanueva, contradict these claims. The department has refused to disclose further communications that could substantiate their denials.
Despite Luna’s administration, Castle noticed continued engagement from LASD employees with her social media, particularly on Instagram. Internal emails revealed that senior information systems analyst William Catron, who has since retired, frequently disseminated Castle’s articles on deputy gangs to various department personnel, including those in units responsible for tracking license plates.
Dr. Matthew R. Schumacher, a former clinical psychologist with the Major Crimes Bureau, labeled Castle’s reporting as a potential officer safety concern, sharing it with other officials and external entities like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). Schumacher also tracked anti-LASD platforms, subscribing to newsletters and monitoring social media accounts critical of the department.
In one particularly concerning incident, deputy Einer Rivera reported Castle as a “Suspicious Activity – Person” to the Sheriff’s Intelligence Unit, highlighting her role in exposing the LASD gangs narrative. This report circulated among several high-ranking officials, including alleged Banditos gang associate Lieutenant David A. Infante, who has since retired.
The surveillance extended beyond Castle to individuals associated with her work. Ricci Sergienko, an organizer who frequently shared Castle’s reports, was the subject of a detailed dossier compiled by LASD. This dossier included sensitive personal information and was circulated among high-ranking department members. Following its distribution, Sergienko reported receiving threats and observing unusual LASD patrols near his residence, which falls under LAPD jurisdiction.
Women Press Freedom has previously documented press freedom violations against Castle, including police shooting the journalist with rubber bullets, injuring her. The police violence, harassment, and surveillance Castle is experiencing is, unfortunately, part of a larger trend, Women Press Freedom data uncovers, with a total of 67 incidents reported since 2019. These incidents range from threats and intimidation to physical assaults, arrests, and detentions.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.
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