The sheriff of a major California city will spend the next three years serving a probation sentence after pleading guilty to domestic abuse in connection with a recent altercation with his wife.
According to court documents, the alleged domestic violence incident took place on New Year’s Eve, when the sheriff of San Francisco forcefully grabbed his wife’s arm during a heated argument. Last month, he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of false imprisonment under a plea deal that included the dismissal of three other criminal charges.
Following the guilty plea, the sheriff was sentenced to three years of probation. He must also complete 100 hours of community service and 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling, and pay about $600 in fines and court fees. Under a current restraining order, he is not allowed to contact his wife until he begins his court-ordered counseling
The sheriff’s job future is also uncertain. The San Francisco mayor is reportedly assessing his options, which include suspending the sheriff for official misconduct. The sheriff says he has no plans to step down.
After his sentencing hearing, the sheriff gave a tearful statement to the waiting press, stating that the arrest and court process had been “a very public reminder that I’m not the person that I thought I was,” and admitting that he has already started counseling to deal with the issues that caused the incident.
“I deeply and humbly apologize for my behavior and the pain it caused to my wife and son. For what happened on December 31, there are no excuses,” he said. “I accept full responsibility.”
