Month: December 2025

Gavin Nguyen

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KESQ) – The family of a mentally ill Cathedral City man who stabbed a Riverside County sheriff’s deputy, prompting the lawman to fatally shoot him in the back, was awarded $13.1 million at the end of a civil trial against the county, it was announced today.

Logina Perez Monroy and David Monroy, parents of Jeffrey Alexander Monroy, filed suit claiming federal civil rights violations in connection with the death of their 33-year-old son, as well as other factors warranting compensatory awards.

Following a nine-day trial that ended Thursday at U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles, jurors returned with the high-dollar findings in favor of the plaintiffs, whose attorneys characterized it as the “largest ever excessive use of force” verdict against the county.

It was not immediately clear whether the defendants intended to appeal.   

“There is no excuse for shooting Mr. Monroy multiple times in the back when he was no threat at all to the deputy,” plaintiffs attorney Houman Sayaghi said. “Thankfully, the jury saw the truth and came to the right conclusion and held law enforcement accountable for its egregious actions.”   

Attorney Kaveh Navab said it was an “honor and privilege” to represent the plaintiffs.

“Nothing can ever replace what they lost, but this verdict represents justice and accountability,” Navab said.   

Though the county was the principal target of the suit, Sheriff Chad Bianco and the deputy who fired the fatal shots, Corporal Ruben Perez, were also named.   

The defendants submitted an answer to the civil complaint in 2021 stating they unequivocally denied “all liability or wrongdoing,” questioning the “legal conclusions and arguments” submitted by the plaintiffs.

According to the complaint, the deadly shooting occurred on the afternoon of Aug. 7, 2020, while Monroy was working for his father’s pool service company, providing assistance with repairs to a pool in the 70800 block of Tamarisk Lane in Rancho Mirage.

Monroy became agitated and walked away from the job site, calling his brother, Will Monroy, to retrieve him so he could go home, the plaintiffs said.   

A resident on the block thought Monroy appeared suspicious due to his bandana and dark clothing, leading the party to call 911 to report a possible troublemaker, the attorneys said.

Perez and Will Monroy arrived at the same time minutes later, and Perez attempted to question the agitated man, who did not want to answer him. When the lawman tried to detain Jeffrey Monroy, a struggle ensued, and Monroy pulled a screwdriver, stabbing the deputy multiple times, including in the neck, according to court papers.

Will Monroy attempted to intervene, physically separating his brother from the deputy and “pulling him 20 feet away from the confrontation,” according to the plaintiffs.

“Corporal Perez suddenly and without warning or verbal command, unjustifiably shot the unarmed Jeffrey in the back multiple times, resulting in his tragic and untimely death at the scene shortly thereafter,” the plaintiffs said.

Will Monroy was not hurt. Perez was taken to a Coachella Valley hospital, where he was treated and ultimately recovered. Perez’s work status could not be confirmed Monday.

The plaintiffs argued that the confrontation was already in the process of de-escalation when the deputy opened fire.   

An incident report made by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office disputed that claim, though. In the weeks following the shooting, Sheriff Chad Bianco released a video breaking down the incident, in which he said, “At one point, the second man intervened and pulled Mr. Monroy away from the deputy. The suspect was able to break free and again advanced toward the deputy. At that point, a deputy involved shooting occurred.”

After the verdict was reached, News Channel 3 reached out to the department’s Media Information Bureau and Sheriff Chad Bianco directly. Those requests were forwarded to the County of Riverside.

A spokesperson with the county responded on Tuesday, writing the following:

“While we disagree with the verdict, we respect the jury’s decision and the legal process.  In the coming days, we will be evaluating our options for next steps.”County of Riverside

The sheriff’s department is among the most sued agencies in Riverside County, resulting in seven-figure payouts or settlements.

Expecting additional appeals and post-trial motions, Sayaghi challenged the county: “But frankly, I think they will lose again, so let them.”

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Luis Avila

The Palm Desert City Council voted 4-1 today to reject Councilman Joe Pradetto’s proposal for the city to stop recognizing Pride Month.

Pradetto’s proposal would also have the city no longer display a Pride banner at City Hall.

Mayor Evan Trubee and Councilmembers Karina Quintanilla, Gina Nestande and Jan Harnik voted against Pradetto’s proposal Tuesday at City Hall.

You can watch the full meeting below:

The decision happened after more than three hours of public comment, with all but one of the over 50 speakers voicing their displeasure with the proposal.

Packed city council chambers including the overflow room (12/16/25)

“To see that in the city that I live in, which is Palm Desert, and so for that to be. On the line of being taken away, really hits close to home,” said Eugene Williams, who attended Tuesday’s special meeting.

“Everyone’s kind of having the same reaction from what I hear in the community and especially the businesses here in Palm Desert that are so supported by the LGBT community’s dollars,” said Gary Williams, who also attended the meeting.

The lone supporter of the proposal during public comment period, spoke with News Channel 3 about why he was in favor of it.

“When you talk about government mixed with social things, there kind of comes a gray area. At what point do you accept one social thing and ignore others?” said Christian Jelmberg, a Palm Desert resident.

“I brought this forward to solve a problem. It stems from the love I have for my community. It isn’t about the LGBTQ community, but how we get along and move toward our goal of greater unity and acceptance, Pradetto said during Tuesday’s meeting. “However, regarding the banner on City Hall, I still believe the principled, smart strategy is neutrality. No banners recognizing individual groups should adorn City Hall. This is about stability and social cohesion.”

Pradetto reacted to the decision in an interview with News Channel 3 shortly after the vote.

“I am not disappointed that the resolution went down the way it did. I stood on my policy principles and the way the government should involve itself with the residents but I also learned that the government does have a role in social issues and that celebrating pride is more than about celebrating individual identities. It’s about the hard-fought fight for equal rights and that is very American,” Pradetto said.

Pradetto originally made the proposal during Thursday’s city council meeting. The proposal would include no longer displaying a Pride banner at City Hall. He said during the meeting that he does not believe it’s necessary for the city to highlight one community over another, arguing that doing so can create division rather than unity.

“My goal is to create unity in our community and the formula for unity is simple, and it’s common sense. When you focus on differences, you get division, and when you focus on similarities, you get unity and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Pradetto told News Channel 3. “I made a request for action in response to comments I received from constituents stating that they felt that the city’s policy to display an LGBTQ banner in honor of Pride Month elevated some members of our community over others, and they felt that that violated their sense of the government’s role in treating everyone as equal and valued members of the community.”

Two other council members originally supported revisiting the city’s policy. However, both ended up voting againt it on Tuesday.

State Assemblyman Greg Wallis denounced the proposal, writing in a statement on Saturday, “Pride month recognition doesn’t create division, it affirms that every resident deserves to be celebrated and respected.”

Wallis also called it a ‘slap in the face’ to LGBTQ+ residents.

Greater Palm Springs Pride called the proposal a “shortsided political maneuver that prioritizes grandstanding over police representation.”

Palm Springs City Councilmember Jeffrey Bernstein also issued his own statement, calling the proposal an attack on the LGBTQ+ community and a threat to the local economy:

Tomorrow, December 16, 2025 at 1:30 pm, the Palm Desert City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss Mayor pro tem Joe Pradetto’s proposal to rescind Palm Desert City Council Resolution No. 2024-0183.’ This resolution, from 2024, includes the display of a banner at City hall in November to Commemorate Pride Month and coincide with local events.

This proposal, to stop recognizing Pride Month and no longer display the banner, is a reminder that the fight for equality is not yet over.  Veiled among suggestions that celebrating one group separates rather than unites, this move must be condemned for what it is: an attack on the LGBTQ+ community.

Celebrating all is what unites us. We are a nation of Native Americans and immigrants, a great melting pot where all should be welcome, where all should be celebrated. The proposal before the Palm Desert City Council divides us.

We are Valley of great diversity and it is important to recognize those communities that have long suffered discrimination. In this day and age, when there is an increase in hate and divisiveness, it saddens me that this proposal comes from a Council Member in a neighboring city with whom Palm Springs  shares so much.

It is unfortunate that in an era where we speak about Greater Palm Springs with such pride, if this proposal passes, we must now be in a position to remind the world that not all of Greater Palm Springs shares Palm Springs’ values.   

I would be remiss if I didn’t add that this proposal by Mayor pro tem Pradetto also poses a threat to our economy, one that is based on tourism, and ensuring that all feel welcome. We know the LGBTQ+ community plays a significant role in our economic success.

I am so proud to live in and work for the City of Palm Springs, where all are celebrated.  I’m proud of our City where all peoples are celebrated:  LGBTQ+, Filipino, Latino, Black, Veterans, Native Americans and all others. I’m proud of our City where we hang flags for Pride Month, Juneteenth, Black History Month, POW/MIAs and so proudly display the flags of California and United States

I urge the Palm Desert City Council to do the right thing and uphold the resolution.

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