Ex-LAPD Officer Perez Sentenced

Central Rampart Scandal Figure Gets 5 Years

LOS ANGELES, Updated 11:02 a.m. PST February 25, 2000 -- Former LAPD officer-turned-informant Rafael Perez was sentenced Friday to five years in prison for stealing about $1 million worth of cocaine being held as evidence.

"He who chases monsters must see that he not become a monster himself," Perez read from a prepared statement in court. "The atrocities that were committed by me and others were unforgivable acts."

In exchange for a reduced prison sentence, Perez agreed last year to cooperate in an internal probe and has since alleged widespread corruption within his former Rampart anti-gang unit.

Perez, 32, has alleged that he and other officers working the immigrant-dense streets just west of downtown shot people against department policy and doctored crime scenes, framed innocent people, then lied under oath to win convictions.

"I cheated on my wife. I cheated on my employer. I cheated on all the people of Los Angeles," Perez said. "I will tell you with every inch of my heart and soul, I am truly, truly sorry."

Earlier this week, six FBI agents and a handful of federal prosecutors joined the Los Angeles Police Department's internal investigation, which has led to 40 criminal convictions being overturned so far.

In September, Perez pleaded guilty to stealing about eight pounds of cocaine from an evidence room. The ex-officer had been scheduled to be sentenced last December, but that was delayed to further investigate the scores of convictions involving him and other Rampart officers.

Perez said he will continue cooperating with investigators looking into the police scandal and try to repair the damage he has done.

"I thank Jehovah God who has guided me to this road I must travel," Perez said. "I will travel it without regrets."