Javier Ovando

Javier Francisco Ovando (born c.1977), is a Honduran man who became a central figure in the LAPD Rampart scandal when he was shot and framed by corrupt Rampart officers Rafael Pérez and Nino Durden. Ovando is an immigrant and a former member of the powerful 18th Street gang. He is the recipient of the largest police misconduct settlement in Los Angeles history.^[1]

Officers Durden and Pérez entered then 19-year-old Ovando's apartment on October 12, 1996, and shot him, leaving him paralyzed.^[2]^[3] According to their testimony later, they planted a gun on him and reported that the unarmed Ovando had fired on them first. Ovando, paralyzed from the waist down, was sentenced to 23 years in prison based on the officers' testimony.^[1]

Release and settlement

On September 16, 1999, Ovando was released from prison after Perez recanted his earlier testimony. The District Attorney's office filed a writ of habeas corpus overturning Ovando's conviction. Ovando had spent two-and-a-half years incarcerated.^[1]

On November 21, 2000, Ovando received a $15 million settlement, the largest police misconduct settlement in Los Angeles history.

References

External links

Rampart scandal

Notable accused officers	Nino Durden Kevin Gaines Brian Liddy David Mack Rafael Pérez

Victims	Frank Lyga Javier Ovando The Notorious B.I.G.

Coverup and investigation	Brian S. Bentley Bernard Parks Russell Poole

Gang involvement	18th Street gang Bloods Death Row Records Suge Knight

Other	Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums Los Angeles Police Department LAPD Rampart Division

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