A Los Angeles police officer has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping, firearm assault, and child abuse charges after fellow department members arrested him outside his home earlier this week.
Officer Anthony Gutierrez, 30, entered his plea during a Wednesday afternoon hearing at the San Fernando Courthouse. Prosecutors expanded the initial case against him by adding two felony counts of child abuse likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
According to law enforcement sources, the criminal case began on Monday following a domestic dispute inside Gutierrez’s home. During the argument, the officer allegedly threatened his partner, prompting her to dial 911 for emergency assistance without his knowledge. Gutierrez then dragged the woman out of the residence and into the street at gunpoint, where responding officers from the department’s Mission Division immediately took him into custody.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a statement condemning the alleged actions of the law enforcement official. “A law enforcement officer takes an oath to serve and protect, and that responsibility does not end when the uniform comes off,” Hochman said, adding that domestic violence inflicts lasting harm on victims and their loved ones.
Prosecutors confirmed that both child abuse victims named in the criminal complaint are the biological children of Gutierrez and the primary victim. A spokesperson for the district attorney’s office declined to elaborate on the specific circumstances surrounding the child abuse counts. If convicted on all charges, Gutierrez faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Department staffing records indicate that Gutierrez joined the police force in March 2022. He previously worked in the Newton Division in South Los Angeles before transferring to the Foothill Division in the Valley. An attorney representing Gutierrez and representatives for the police department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
