[planetdoc]

2 former LA deputies accused of planting guns to justify medical marijuana dispensary arrests

Prosecutors say two former Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies planted guns to justify arrests at a medical marijuana dispensary in 2011.

The district attorney's office said Wednesday that Julio Cesar Martinez and Anthony Manuel Paez were each charged with conspiracy and alteration of evidence by a peace officer. Martinez is also charged with perjury and filing a false report.

The allegations involve the deputies' report about witnessing a narcotics transaction and seeing a suspect with a gun. Martinez allegedly also wrote that he followed one suspect into the dispensary and saw two firearms, one on a desk next to ecstasy pills.

Investigators say a video recording is inconsistent with the deputies' statements.