BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF

Cesar Romero - President

Deputy Cesar Romero is a 35-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Romero’s career with the Sheriff’s Department began in 1990, as an Intern assigned to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station. He graduated from the Sheriff’s Academy in 1992 and was assigned to the Wayside Honor Rancho, North Facility, and Men’s Central Jail. In 1996, Deputy Romero was assigned to East Los Angeles Station, working patrol, the VIDA Program and Community Relations. He transferred to the Success Through Awareness and Resistance (STAR) Unit in 2004, where he partnered with parents, teachers, and the community to provide drug, gang and violence prevention education to students in local schools.

Daniel Vargas - Vice-President

Deputy Daniel Vargas is a 31-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and has been a LASPA member since its inception. Straight out of the academy, he was assigned to Men’s Central Jail and then East Los Angeles Station In 1999. While at East Los Angeles Station, Deputy Vargas worked patrol and then alongside Deputy Cesar Romero in the Vida Program and Community Relations. In this capacity, they had the opportunity to work with the East Los Angeles community, which included surrounding schools, churches, the Boys and Girls Club and the City of Commerce. Deputy Vargas then transferred to the Star Unit where he enjoyed educating children, parents and school administrators about gang violence and drug awareness.

Mario Salazar - Secretary

Sheriff’s Security Officer Mario Salazar is a 22-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He has been assigned to Court Services Bureau and Community College Bureau. He has been a LASPA member since 2005. Officer Salazar is currently the Senior Cadet Coordinator for the Department’s Cadet Program. In this capacity, he trains newly assigned Sheriff’s Security Officers and employees and mentors and trains student workers assigned to the Cadet Program. The program is highly successful and most of the student workers assigned to the Cadet Program go on to become deputy sheriffs, custody assistants and sheriff’s security officers.

Gustavo Arida - Treasurer

Deputy Gustavo Arida is a 28-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. After graduating from the academy, Deputy Arida was assigned to custody at the North County Correctional Facility. He then worked assignments at Compton Station, Transportation Services Bureau in Downtown Los Angeles and COPS Bureau.

Deputy Arida has been a LASPA Director since 2008.

Raul Guerrero - Director

Deputy Raul Guerrero is a 24-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He began his career in 2001 as a Sheriff’s Security Officer and became a Deputy in 2005. Deputy Guerrero has worked assignments at Men’s Central Jail, Century Station, Transportation Bureau, County Services Bureau, Community Partnership Bureau and Walnut Station.

Deputy Guerrero served in the United States Marine Corps, both active and reserve, from 1995-2016, including a combat deployment to Iraq.

Russ Kasparyan - Director

Deputy Kasparyan’ s career with the Sheriff’s Department began in 2013. Straight out of the Sheriff’s Academy, he was assigned to Men’s Central Jail and then Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Court. Deputy Kasparyan spent his patrol time at Altadena Sheriff’s Station and is currently assigned to the Security Operations Unit. Deputy Kasparyan has his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Cal State LA and also holds a Master’s of Public Administration from Cal State University Northridge.

Jonathan Miramontes - Director

Deputy Miramontes is a 10-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and has been a proud member of LASPA throughout his career. After graduating from the academy, he was assigned to Men’s Central Jail and in 2017 he transferred to East Los Angeles Station. Deputy Miramontes understands firsthand the importance of strong and effective representation, especially when a deputy’s career and reputation are at stake. Having faced the challenges tht come with the profession, he is committed to standing alongside his fellow deputies  and ensuring they receive the suport and advocacy they deserve.

Victor Palacios - Director

Lieutenant Victor Palacios is a 33-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and has been a LASPA Director for many  years. He is currently assigned to Pico Rivera Station as a Watch Commander.

Nick Wilson - Spokesperson

Nick Wilson is a medically retired police officer and detective with over 13 years of service, including SWAT, undercover work, training officer, and major crime investigations. Founder of The Resiliency Project and CEO of NJW Resilient Consulting, he’s a nationally recognized advocate for law enforcement wellness, a P.O.S.T. instructor, and holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration and an M.P.A. In his role as LASPA spokesman, Nick brings relentless energy, real-world experience, and unwavering commitment to defending deputies and fighting for transparency, fairness, and the resources our members deserve.

OUR STAFF

*Staff is available after hours and weekends via phone or text*

Jessica Higareda

Administrative Director

Patricia Rivera

Administrative Manager

Tacye Contreras

Senior Administrative Specialist and Website Manager