Witness in Deputies’ Trial Indicted on Perjury Counts

A Pomona man who testified on behalf of a former Los Angeles County sheriff’s narcotics deputy convicted of skimming drug money was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on five perjury counts.

Jesse A. Luna Jr., 44, was accused of falsely testifying last year in the corruption trial of Eufrasio G. Cortez and six other former sheriff’s narcotics deputies who were convicted of stealing money during drug raids. Luna also lied last June to a grand jury during hearings into the ongoing scandal, prosecutors said.

Luna had testified that he gave Cortez $12,000 in 1987 to repay a cash loan when the repayment was actually made with a cashier’s check, said Assistant U.S. Atty. Steven M. Bauer. Luna also gave Cortez another cashier’s check for more than $10,000, the prosecutor said. The scheme was allegedly used to cover up drug money thefts by the officers. If convicted, Luna faces a maximum term of 25 years and a $1.25-million fine.