Skip to Content
Art

SMEAR Raided By Police Following L.A. Times Story

UPDATE: The LA Times reports that Smear was arrested and taken into custody for unspecified probation violations today: Cristian Gheorghiu, also known as Smear, was taken into custody around noon. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Lt. Vince Carter said Gheorghiu was arrested for a "probation violation" but would not provide specifics. He said the booking related to new information and "vandalism tools." Gheorghiu is on felony probation for a 2007 vandalism conviction.

More troubling news for the artist SMEAR, who continues to have his rights trampled on while being personally targeted by the forces that be. According to a source close to the artist who spoke with him this morning, after SMEAR was featured in yesterday's L.A. Times cover story, his home was raided last night by authorities, who somehow have nothing better to do than harass L.A.'s creative minds at tax-payer expense. According to the source, SMEAR had a painting and other belongings taken from him during the raid and arranged through his attorney to be turned in as he wasn't home while police sought to detain him. Police allegedly told him he was violating probation by having vandalism tools, which the artist explained he was allowed to have (as a visual artist) as per a judge's decision, something he's supposedly told them on prior occasions. The artist is scheduled to appear with his lawyer this morning, though there is no word on whether he will be held or simply questioned. What does SMEAR have to say?

The artist apparently expressed frustration at being bullied and persecuted by the sheriff's department and says he's been paying his fines. We all know the raid, on the heels of a major newspaper story, isn't the way things should be done in the U.S. If our great city was promoting and training its artists, instead of criminalizing art and free expression, SMEAR's talent would be allowed to speak for itself. Instead, he is being vilified and unfairly targeted, which will only boost his notoriety while further burdening the city's stressed coffers.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

How Wildfires Are Worsening Air Quality on L.A.’s Eastside

An interview with Stephen Ladochy, a professor emeritus at Cal State L.A. who specializes in climatology, addresses the diminishing air quality affecting Boyle Heights and what residents can do about it.

January 15, 2025

Debunking Six Videos and Images Spreading Gross Disinformation During L.A.’s Fires 

These videos can be dangerous, causing mass panic, outrage, danger, and enmity where it doesn’t need to be. It’s more urgent than ever that we learn to question what we see and avoid sharing things we cannot confirm or just outright created by AI.

January 14, 2025

Amid Wildfires, Hundreds Peacefully Protest Mass Deportation Threats In Downtown Los Angeles

Many of the protestors were children of immigrants, as well as young people born in the city, appearing there on behalf of their parents, who are living in fear amid widespread allegations of ICE Raids on the city’s streets.

January 13, 2025

Here Are the Facts About Mexico Sending Firefighters to Help with L.A.’s Wildfires

Despite online articles showing photos and videos and videos shared by influencers of the purported firefighters appearing at LAX or singing on their way to extinguish fires, L.A. TACO has verified that those videos are inaccurate and that firefighters have not arrived in Los Angeles.

January 11, 2025

‘This Is Not Human Driven,’ Officials Investigate Cause of Erroneous Evacuation Warnings

Kevin McGowan, Director of L.A.'s Office of Emergency Management, encouraged people not to disable emergency messages on their phones. “These alert tools have saved lives during this emergency. Not receiving an alert can be a consequence of life and death,” McGowan said. You can verify to see if you’re in an evacuation zone through alertla.org, lacounty.gov/emergency, or by dialing 211 for assistance.

January 10, 2025
See all posts