Dozens of LA Sheriff deputies are tattooed members of 'law enforcement gangs,' watchdog alleges

• Dozens of LA's sheriff's deputies are members of gangs, its top watchdog claimed.
• The deputies have tattoos to identify themselves as members of gang-like groups, it is alleged.

Dozens of deputies operating out of two of LA's sheriff's stations are members of gangs, the top watchdog for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department claimed.

The County of Los Angeles Inspector General Max Huntsman wrote to Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Monday to inform him that his office has compiled a partial list of deputies who are "identified as allegedly being tattooed members of the Banditos or Executioners."

The list includes 11 deputies allegedly belonging to the Banditos and operating out of the East LA sheriff's station. There are 30 alleged members of the Executioners operating from the Compton station.

Members of the Banditos can be identified by their signature tattoos of a skeleton wearing a sombrero, bandolier, and pistol. The Executioners have matching tattoos of a skull with an AK-47 and flames behind it, according to The Daily Mail.

Huntsman did not name the deputies in the letter but said his office had identified additional possible members from other sources.

The revelation is the latest development in an ongoing gang scandal within the Sheriff's department employing over 10,000 sworn deputies.

Los Angeles County Sheriff candidates have previously accused incumbent Sheriff Alex Villanueva of enabling "deputy gangs" in the department.

The "subgroups" within LASD have been debated for decades. Numerous lawsuits have been filed by community members alleging mistreatment by gang-like groups, according to research by the RAND Corporation.

Last month, a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy associated with the Executioners testified that he had attended seven so-called inking parties.

Huntsman said his office was investigating several other "potential law enforcement gangs," including the Grim Reapers, Jump Out Boys, and the Vikings.

"LASD has never thoroughly investigated allegations of gang corruption, and this case is no exception," Huntsman told the Los Angeles Times.

In the letter, Huntsman requested that the Sheriff's Department instruct its personnel to cooperate with the investigation and provide various documents and information.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, the Sheriff's Department claimed Huntsman has an "unhealthy obsession to attack the department" and has "failed to provide any actual evidence or new information."

"The timing of this letter suggests Mr. Huntsman is using his public office and resources to campaign against the sheriff leading up to the June primaries," the Sheriff's Department said.