Faulty reasoning signals

• Negativity Bias - 48.1%
• Appeal to Authority - 26.6%
• Appeal to Emotion - 24%

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By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER

Published: 11:11 EDT, 8 July 2026 | Updated: 11:32 EDT, 8 July 2026

A former San Diego cop who smirked after he fractured a suspect's spine before attempting a blatant cover-up has been handed a lengthy jail sentence.

Jeremiah Manuyag Flores, 45, was captured on security footage grinning as he walked away from the suspect's jail cell moments after he battered him.

The former San Diego Sheriff's Office deputy was accused of shoving the shackled 57-year-old pretrial suspect from behind in the San Diego Central Courthouse jail.

The suspect flew 'across his holding cell' and slammed 'headfirst into the far wall' before collapsing on the ground, prosecutors said.

'Flores did not provide JP with medical aid and failed to report his use of excessive force to a supervisor,' the Southern District of California US Attorney's Office said.

The detainee was left lying in a pool of his own blood, suffering from a spinal column fracture, for over two hours before he was discovered by another deputy, according to the attorney's office.

Yet, in a report concerning his interactions with the victim, identified as JP, Flores had made 'multiple false statements, including "no force used",' prosecutors said.

On Tuesday, Flores was sentenced to four years and nine months behind bars for the August 2024 incident.

Jeremiah Manuyag Flores, 45, was sentenced to over four years behind bars after video captured him smirking as he left the jail cell of a suspect he had shoved and left with a fractured spine

The detainee was left lying in a pool of his own blood, suffering from a spinal column fracture, for over two hours before he was found by another deputy. Pictured: San Diego Central Jail

Flores was charged in a federal investigation with deprivation of right under color of law and falsification of records and found guilty in December 2025 after a weeklong trial

Assistant US Attorney Seth Askins said: 'The power disparity between the defendant who was in complete control and [JP], who couldn’t do anything to protect himself, was as wide as the ocean.'

Askins said that Flores's 'only job was to walk with him,' and the victim made no action to escalate the situation, such as resistance.

'The defendant didn’t have to use any force at all. All he had to do was to keep walking,' Askins said.

According to court documents seen by the Daily Mail, the detainee also suffered a head wound in addition to the spinal fracture, which required surgery and months of hospitalization.

US District Judge Linda Lopez condemned the deputy for his actions, stressing that law enforcement officers are relied on to 'do the right thing.'

'What you do then matters,' Lopez said, before slamming the former-deputy for smirking after the incident.

'I don't know how many years it's going to be before I get that photo out of my mind. Your conduct was egregious.'

Flores was charged in a federal investigation with deprivation of right under color of law and falsification of records and found guilty in December 2025 after a weeklong trial.

The detainee was left lying in a pool of his own blood, suffering from a spinal column fracture, for over two hours before he was discovered by another deputy

'Upholding civil rights is fundamental to the mission of every law enforcement agency. When an officer violates that oath, equal accountability is essential to maintaining the public’s trust,' Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI's San Diego Field Office said.

'Today’s sentence reflects the commitment of the FBI and our law enforcement partners to thoroughly investigate such matters and ensure those who abuse their authority face appropriate consequences.'

A spokesperson for the sheriff's office told the San Diego Union Tribune : 'Our agency does not tolerate the use of excessive force or lying by deputies. Any Sheriff’s employee who violates the law or policy will be held accountable.'

His sentencing comes after he was freed on bond, and he is set to report to prison by August 18.

Following his conviction, Flores was also fired from the sheriff's office and barred from serving as a law enforcement officer on any level of government.

The Daily Mail reached out to the San Diego Sheriff's Office for comment.