San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores was found guilty by a federal jury of using excessive force against a pretrial detainee and falsifying records to conceal his actions. The verdict, delivered after two hours of deliberation, followed evidence that Flores deprived the victim, identified as 57-year-old J.P., of due process under the Fourteenth Amendment and then submitted a false report during the federal investigation.
The incident occurred on August 29, 2024, at the San Diego Central Courthouse. Flores was escorting J.P., whose hands and legs were restrained, to a holding cell. According to trial testimony, Flores grabbed J.P.’s shirt and pushed him quickly down the hallway. Upon reaching the holding cell door, Flores shoved J.P. into the cell with both hands. This caused J.P. to hit his head against the far wall and collapse.
After closing the cell door, Flores reportedly told another deputy, “What? Nothing happened,” before leaving without providing medical assistance or reporting the incident as required by department policy. Over two hours later, another deputy discovered J.P. still lying in the same position with a head wound and blood on the floor. The injuries resulted in spinal damage requiring surgery and an extended hospital stay for J.P.
More than an hour after J.P.’s discovery, Flores wrote in his report that “no force was used” when placing J.P. in the cell.
“Today’s verdict makes one thing unmistakably clear: the badge does not excuse brutality,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “When an officer abuses power and inflicts harm on someone in their custody, it is a crime — and this office will hold them accountable.”
“Law enforcement officers are not above the law—they uphold it, and will be held accountable for any actions they take not in line with their sworn duty to protect and serve the public,” said Mark Dargis, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Today’s conviction confirms the FBI and our law enforcement partners will not stand for anyone who tarnishes the badge and reputations of those who lawfully protect our communities.”
Flores faces sentencing on April 1, 2026. He could receive up to ten years in prison for deprivation of rights under color of law (Title 18 U.S.C., Section 242) and up to twenty years for falsification of records (Title 18 U.S.C., Section 1519), along with fines up to $250,000 per count.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Askins and Michael Deshong following investigations conducted by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Unit.
