At least eight Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies have been relieved of duty amid a federal investigation into the beating of a transgender man last year in a 7-Eleven parking lot, according to several law enforcement sources.

Last week, nearly two years after the incident, Deputy Joseph Benza III agreed to plead guilty to one felony civil rights violation in federal court. In his plea agreement, Benza admitted that he lied to the FBI about the incident and alleged that numerous other deputies and sergeants helped obstruct the investigation and cover up the misconduct.

After confirming Dec. 18 that Benza had been taken off the job, the next day the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said “multiple” other deputies have also been relieved of duty.

Sheriff’s officials would not specify how many employees have been sidelined, but half a dozen sources in the department told The Times that eight people — including several sergeants — were relieved of duty. The sources requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

After news of the criminal case against Benza, 36, was announced last week, he made an initial appearance in federal court and was released on $50,000 bond, a U.S. Department of Justice spokesman told The Times.