Ex-deputy still facing lawsuit

A former San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy who was captured on video in 2006 shooting an Iraq war veteran following a high-speed chase has declared bankruptcy.

Ivory J. Webb Jr., who in June 2007 was acquitted of criminal charges brought after the shooting of Air Force Senior Airman Elio Carrion, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection June 3.

In their federal bankruptcy filing, Webb and his wife, Angelia Jonel Webb, claim about $1 million in liabilities and about $680,000 in assets.

A civil lawsuit in December 2006 brought by Carrion against Webb, San Bernardino County and Sheriff Gary Penrod is ongoing, with a trial in the case now set for Dec. 9 in a Los Angeles federal court.

It's unclear what impact, if any, Webb's bankruptcy will have on his ability to pay Carrion a potential judgment or settlement in the civil case.

Attorneys for Webb and Carrion did not return calls seeking comment Monday.

In their bankruptcy filing, the Webbs list as assets a home in Riverside, a Marriott vacation time share and two personal vehicles. They claim only $100 cash on hand.

The couple's liabilities include home loans, car loans and nearly $70,000 in credit- card debt.

Chapter 7 bankruptcy filings are for debtors who "do not have the ability to pay their existing debts," the filing said. People who file for Chapter 7 seek a discharge of existing debts.

On Jan. 29, 2006, Carrion was a passenger in a car driven at speeds of up to 100 mph by Luis Fernando Escobedo.

Escobedo led Webb on a high-speed chase before crashing into a fence on Francis Street in Chino.

As Webb approached the car with his gun drawn, a nearby resident took out a video camera and filmed the encounter.

In the moments before the shooting, the video captures Carrion lying face down on the ground with Webb standing over him.

Webb ordered Carrion to get up, and when Carrion used his arms to push his body from the ground, Webb opened fire, shooting Carrion in the chest, shoulder and leg.

Webb's attorneys said during the trial that he was rattled by the chase and might have meant to order Carrion to stay down, not get up.

In Carrion's civil suit, he accuses Webb of trying to kill him and failing to adhere to the laws of the state and federal governments. Carrion also accuses Webb of distorting the facts surrounding the shooting when he reported it.

The lawsuit also accuses Penrod and San Bernardino County of allowing, condoning and ratifying "cover-ups" of excessive use of force by sheriff's deputies.

will.bigham@inlandnewspapers.com

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