A former custody assistant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has pleaded no contest to sex crimes committed against an inmate in a Lancaster jail in 2019. Daniel Everts, now 30, was charged with several felonies, including forcible oral copulation and sexual activity with a detained inmate.
The incident occurred when a woman, who was booked for driving under the influence, requested a blanket. According to her allegations, Everts entered her cell and forced her to perform oral sex, threatening her with extended jail time if she did not comply. Following the incident, she filed a federal lawsuit against the Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles County, which was settled for $950,000 two years later.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman expressed strong condemnation of the crime, stating that the abuse of authority by a law enforcement officer is unacceptable. He indicated that prosecutors will seek the maximum sentence of eight years in state prison for Everts when he is sentenced on July 7.
Everts was initially charged with three felonies but had pleaded not guilty at first. His change to a no contest plea means he accepts the legal consequences without admitting guilt. The case was investigated by the Sheriff’s Department, which has faced scrutiny over several incidents involving misconduct by its personnel.