| For Immediate Release Case # TBA
September 2, 2009 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH THREATENING TO KILL AND REPEATEDLY ASSAULTING WIFE, AND DISSUADING HER FROM REPORTING THE ABUSE IN ORDER TO KEEP HIS JOB
*Defendant also charged with physically assaulting and restraining his girlfriend
SANTA ANA – A police officer with the Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) was arrested today on charges of physically abusing his wife and girlfriend, and dissuading his wife from reporting the assaults in order to keep from losing his job. James Roberts III, 33, is charged with felonies for eight counts of false imprisonment by violence or deceit, three counts of criminal threats, two counts of domestic battery with corporal injury, two counts of aggravated assault, one count of dissuading a witness by force or threat, and one count of vandalism causing $400 in damage or more. If convicted on all counts, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 14 years in state prison. Roberts is being held on $250,000 bail and is expected to be arraigned Friday, Sept. 4, 2009, at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. The time and Department are to be determined.
The defendant married Jane Doe #1 in 2003, and the couple had a son together. In 2007, while still married to Jane Doe #1, Roberts is accused of beginning a relationship with Jane Doe #2.
Between June 2007 and May 2008, Roberts is accused of physically and verbally abusing his wife. In July 2007, Roberts is accused of trashing Jane Doe #1’s home by breaking and destroying furniture while the victim was out of town. On at least three occasions, Roberts is accused of physically restraining Jane Doe #1 to forcibly hold her against her will, one time while she was their young son. The defendant is accused of assaulting the victim on one occasion by pushing her to ground in the bathroom, causing her to hit the bathtub and toilet. On another occasion he is accused of intentionally pushing a door into the victim while she was standing behind it. Roberts is accused of repeatedly telling Jane Doe #1 that he would lose his job as a police officer if she reported the assault to the police, and threatened to kill the victim on at least one occasion.
Between March and July 2007, Roberts is accused of physically restraining Jane Doe #2 to forcibly hold her against her will. Jane Doe #2 ended her relationship with Roberts in early 2008. In May 2008, Roberts is accused of inviting Jane Doe #2 to his apartment to talk. He is accused of physically restraining her to prevent her from leaving, and assaulting her by grabbing the victim and pulling her to the ground once she had left the apartment.
In December 2008, Roberts is accused of confronting a male friend of Jane Doe #1, ordering him to stay away from his wife and son and insinuating that he knew where the friend lived and spent his free time.
Deputy District Attorney Cyril Yu of the Family Protection Unit is prosecuting this case.
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