Man Jailed in Killing of County Policeman, Pleads Not Guilty

A 19-year-old suspected gang member was charged with murder Thursday in the shooting death of Los Angeles County Police Capt. Michael Sparkes.

Orvis Camilo Anthony of Gardena pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted robbery in Compton Superior Court. He is being held in Los Angeles County Jail without bond. The charges could lead to the death penalty, but prosecutors have not decided whether to seek it.

Anthony had been stopped for speeding and then arrested about 7 a.m. Tuesday, about an hour after the shooting. His car was riddled with bullets, said Lt. David Smith of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

Police said Sparkes, 53, was confronted by Anthony and another man about 5:35 a.m. Tuesday near Redondo Beach and Avalon boulevards in Rosewood while Sparkes was riding his bicycle. They argued and then Sparkes exchanged gunfire with Anthony, who allegedly used an AK-47 assault rifle, police said.