LOS ANGELES COUNTY : 2 Ex-Deputies Convicted in Drug Money Case

Two former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies were convicted Tuesday of stealing money seized during drug raids by an elite unit of the department.

The federal court jury found a third deputy not guilty. The acquittal was one of the few cases that federal prosecutors have lost since the beginning of an investigation by several agencies that has resulted in the convictions of 29 deputies over five years.

Robert James Bardon, 41, was acquitted on charges that he stole money from drug dealers he was investigating by taking funds seized during a federally funded anti-narcotics program run by the Sheriff’s Department.

After the indictments were returned by a federal grand jury in May, Bardon was suspended without pay and has applied for a stress disability pension, said John Vandevelde, Bardon’s lawyer. It was unclear Tuesday whether the department would reinstate him or whether he wants to be reinstated.

Macario Duran, 48, of Northridge was convicted on three counts of theft of money from a program receiving federal funds, and one count each of conspiracy and money laundering. He faces a maximum of 45 years in prison and fines of up to $1.25 million.

J.C. Miller, 50, of Los Angeles, was convicted of conspiracy, four counts of theft from a program receiving federal funds and two tax fraud counts, Stein said.

Miller faces a maximum sentence of 51 years and fines of up to $1.75 million. Sentencing for both defendants is set for May 3 before Senior U.S. District Judge Laughlin Waters.