One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
LA County Sheriff's deputies posted outside anti-Muslim filmmaker's Cerritos home
The front door of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula in Cerritos.
(
Brian Watt/KPCC
)
A Virgin Mary statue on the front porch of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula in Cerritos.
(
Brian Watt/KPCC
)
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has posted two patrol cars and a handful of deputies at the residence believed to be that of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula on a culdesac in Cerritos. Nakoula is now believed to be the filmmaker behind “Innocence of Muslims,” a film that is inflaming the Middle East.
An L.A. County Fire Department engine also visited the culdesac around 9:30 a.m. Friday, then left the scene.
Standing outside the residence, Sheriff’s Dept. spokesman Steve Whitmore told KPCC before 9 a.m. Friday that he believes Nakoula is inside and that he’s seen nobody leave.
“We don’t know if this is the guy that made this film or not. We have no idea about that,” Whitmore said. He said the Department was contacted a couple of days ago, but there was no disturbance and no crime.
“Then press started showing up, so we came along with the press,” Whitmore said. He added that the Department has plans in place if someone should leave the residence, but he wouldn’t give the details.
Outside the front door of the residence, a small statue of the Virgin Mary sits near some old shoes and newspapers. At the curb, someone has thrown out an old sofa and headboard for a bed. There’s also a black Nissan truck parked in front that appears to have been damaged in an accident.
Whitmore said Sheriff’s deputies are now factoring heightened awareness of certain places of worship in their patrols. Without providing specifics, Whitmore mentioned the cities of Duarte, Santa Clarita and a Coptic Orthodox Church in Bellflower.
Eight media vans had set up outside the house Friday morning for live broadcasts.
Sponsored message
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
