May 8, 2026: District Attorney Hochman Honors Three Courageous Individuals for Their Roles in Securing Justice

WEST COVINA, Calif. - Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman recognized three individuals with Courage Awards for their exceptional bravery, strength and resolve in the face of significant adversity and for the vital role they played in advancing justice.

The honorees include a woman who endured repeated sexual abuse as a child and later testified against her abuser, who had abused another child, leading to his conviction; a woman who stepped in to stop the sexual assault of her friend and then delivered powerful testimony against the defendant; and a third woman who witnessed a gang shooting that killed four people and showed remarkable bravery in facing the defendants in court to testify in the case.

"Yesterday we honored three individuals whose courage reflects the very best of our community," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said. "Each, in a moment of profound fear and uncertainty, chose to do what is right rather than what is easy. They did not turn away from violence or trauma, they confronted it, and in doing so, gave voice to truth, strength to victims, and accountability to those who caused harm. When we look for role models in our communities, we don't need to look toward comic book superheroes; instead, these are the individuals we should aspire to emulate."

The trio were honored yesterday at a ceremony hosted by the Rotary Club of Covina.

The Courage Awards, formerly known as the Courageous Citizen Awards, were launched in 1986 and are given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional bravery and selflessness - whether by assisting in criminal prosecutions, helping victims, testifying under pressure, preventing crimes or helping to apprehend suspects.

Additional ceremonies will be held later this year in Westchester, Pasadena and Los Angeles in partnership with local Rotary Clubs.

Awards were presented to:

Jocelyn Ebert, 19, (Case TA160533, presented by Deputy District Attorney Sara Radmore)

Jocelyn Ebert's childhood was marked by instability, moving through foster care placements in Mexico and San Diego before living with relatives in Los Angeles. There, beginning at age six, she suffered repeated sexual abuse from January 2012 through November 2013, leaving lasting emotional scars.

Years later, when another young girl came forward with allegations against the same man, Ms. Ebert made the difficult decision to testify, revisiting trauma she had long tried to overcome after no charges were filed when she first disclosed the abuse.

That victim's abuse occurred between November 2022 and January 2023. Ms. Ebert, now 19, endured intense cross-examination that challenged her memory and credibility, but remained resolute - not for herself, but to support a child she had never met. Her extraordinary strength and resilience ultimately resulted in the jury finding the defendant guilty on all counts.

Elizabeth Gomez, 28, (Case KA131758 presented by Deputy District Attorney Prianca Murthi)

On Nov. 21, 2022, Elizabeth Gomez stood up for a vulnerable victim in the face of intense pressure. After a day of drinking, she and the victim fell asleep in the victim's boyfriend's room in Pomona. When the defendant returned home, he sexually assaulted the unconscious victim. Ms. Gomez woke to the sounds, intervened, forced the defendant out, secured the victim, and fled to safety before calling 911.

Despite being labeled a liar and ostracized by the victim's boyfriend's family, Ms. Gomez never wavered. She appeared at every court date while balancing work and raising two children and delivered powerful testimony that helped secure a guilty verdict. Her quick actions and courage ensured the victim's safety and guilty verdicts for the crime.

Rashanae, 37, (Case BA514887 presented by Deputy District Attorney Benjamin Schwartz)

In the early morning of Jan. 23, 2022, a group of Crip gang members carried out a targeted shooting at a birthday party in Inglewood, firing over 100 rounds into a small accessory dwelling unit. Four people were killed. Several others, including Rashanae, survived the attack.

Rashanae, who was inside and related to several of the victims, witnessed the violence and its aftermath. Despite the trauma and the risks associated with testifying in a gang case, she took the stand - twice - after the first trial ended in a hung jury. Facing the defendants and their associates, Rashanae courageously recounted the events of that night, helping bring accountability and guilty verdicts while demonstrating extraordinary bravery.

District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman stands with the honorees and the Deputy District Attorneys who nominated them for a Courage Award.

District Attorney Hochman Honors Three Courageous Individuals for Their Roles in Securing Justice