A Tradition of Violence

A Tradition of Violence
  • 4.7 (532)
  • TRUE CRIME
  • WEEKLY SERIES

A Tradition of Violence is a podcast about deputy gangs that operate within the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Host Cerise Castle wrote the history of deputy gangs in LA for Knock LA, exposing their 50-year reign of terror and murder.

  1. EPISODE 1

    Origins of Evil

    In the 1960's, a group of deputies at the East Los Angeles Sheriff's station formed a gang called the Little Red Devils. It was the beginning of a 50 year history of deputy gangs that has led to brutal beatings, illegal detentions, and even death.  A Tradition of Violence is hosted and executive produced by Cerise Castle. She's an award winning journalist who wrote the first ever history of deputy gangs for Knock LA, available at lasdgangs.com Music by Yelohill and Steelz. For breaking news and updates on deputy gangs, follow @lasdgangs on social media. To support Cerise’s reporting, and for exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the patreon.com/lasdgangs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Hunting for Humans

    The Lynwood Vikings terrorized Los Angeles resident's and other deputies who resisted their brutality. One man died trying to bring them down.   A Tradition of Violence is hosted and executive produced by Cerise Castle. She's an award winning journalist who wrote the first ever history of deputy gangs for Knock LA, available at lasdgangs.com Music by Yelohill and Steelz. For breaking news and updates on deputy gangs, follow @lasdgangs on social media. To support Cerise’s reporting, and for exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the patreon.com/lasdgangs.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    48 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    The Grim Reapers

    In the early 1990's, the LA County Sheriff's station in Lennox was the birthplace of a new deadly deputy gang: The Grim Reapers.  A Tradition of Violence is hosted and executive produced by Cerise Castle. She's an award winning journalist who wrote the first ever history of deputy gangs for Knock LA, available at lasdgangs.com Music by Yelohill and Steelz. For breaking news and updates on deputy gangs, follow @lasdgangs on social media. To support Cerise’s reporting, and for exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the patreon.com/lasdgangs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    33 Y Qué?

    Currently, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is headed by Alex Villanueva. He’s billed himself as a progressive democrat, but his administration has denied the existence of deputy gangs existence, defied subpoenas and met with right wing extremists.  A Tradition of Violence is hosted and executive produced by Cerise Castle. She's an award winning journalist who wrote the first ever history of deputy gangs for Knock LA, available at lasdgangs.com Music by Yelohill and Steelz. For breaking news and updates on deputy gangs, follow @lasdgangs on social media. To support Cerise’s reporting, and for exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the patreon.com/lasdgangs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Special Update: 2022 Election

    Today in Los Angeles County, ballots are being counted in one of the most watched races for sheriff in the United States. Former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna makes the case for why he should replace Alex Villanueva.  A Tradition of Violence is hosted and executive produced by Cerise Castle. She's an award winning journalist who wrote the first ever history of deputy gangs for Knock LA, available at lasdgangs.com Music by Yelohill and Steelz. For breaking news and updates on deputy gangs, follow @lasdgangs on social media. To support Cerise’s reporting, and for exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the patreon.com/lasdgangs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Regulators, Mount Up

    Deputy gang members have risen to the top of the department. Employees are told to 'work in the grey', and killings become frequent.  A Tradition of Violence is hosted and executive produced by Cerise Castle. She's an award winning journalist who wrote the first ever history of deputy gangs for Knock LA, available at lasdgangs.com Music by Yelohill and Steelz. For breaking news and updates on deputy gangs, follow @lasdgangs on social media. To support Cerise’s reporting, and for exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the patreon.com/lasdgangs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    The Perfect Breeding Ground

    Outside the eyes of the public, violence inside Los Angeles County jails at the hands of the 3000 and 2000 Boys deputy gangs went unchecked. But the efforts of incarcerated people eventually brought down the sheriff himself.  A Tradition of Violence is hosted and executive produced by Cerise Castle. She's an award winning journalist who wrote the first ever history of deputy gangs for Knock LA, available at lasdgangs.com Music by Yelohill and Steelz. For breaking news and updates on deputy gangs, follow @lasdgangs on social media. To support Cerise’s reporting, and for exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the patreon.com/lasdgangs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    42 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    How to Get Paid For Being Fired

    Deputies are caught lying in court and fired, but get their jobs back through an appeal. Evidence of misconduct is suppressed with the help of local district attorneys. We want to hear from you. If you have a question about deputy gangs, or the LASD please send an email to lasdgangs@gmail.com  A Tradition of Violence is hosted and executive produced by Cerise Castle. She's an award winning journalist who wrote the first ever history of deputy gangs for Knock LA, available at lasdgangs.com Music by Yelohill and Steelz. For breaking news and updates on deputy gangs, follow @lasdgangs on social media. To support Cerise’s reporting, and for exclusive bonus content, subscribe to the patreon.com/lasdgangs.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    52 min
See All Season 1 (16)

Trailer

Hosts & Guests

4.7
out of 5
532 Ratings

About

A Tradition of Violence is a podcast about deputy gangs that operate within the LA County Sheriff’s Department. Host Cerise Castle wrote the history of deputy gangs in LA for Knock LA, exposing their 50-year reign of terror and murder.

Information

  • Creator
    A Tradition of Violence
  • Episodes
    16
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    A Tradition of Violence

You Might Also Like