An off-duty Riverside County sheriff’s deputy was arrested in Temecula in late August after assaulting another deputy in a dispute involving his wife. Jaime Morales, 32, who is assigned to the sheriff’s Moreno Valley station, was arrested early Aug. 24 on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and spousal battery. Assistant Sheriff Jerry Williams said Morales and Deputy Joseph Sinz got into an argument that turned physical in the parking lot of the Party City store near the Temecula mall. Apparently, Morales’ wife tried to intervene and Morales pushed her, Williams said. Sinz, who is assigned to the Lake Elsinore station, suffered serious injuries including a broken jaw, broken nose and broken teeth.
Felony assault causing great bodily injury is a “strike” under California law and can carry a prison term of up to 4 years. “Strikes” are serious or violent felonies and are treated much more seriously by the District Attorney’s office and often result in “straight” time in country hail or prison time. Spousal battery is a misdemeanor and can carry a sentence of up to 1 year in county jail and require 3 years of probation and a year-long anger management course.
Morales, who is 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, has participated in the “Battle of the Badges” charity boxing tournament as Jaime “The Bull” Morales, according to fliers for the annual event in which law enforcement officers face off against firefighters. The “Bull” is in serious need of an experienced criminal defense attorney to help him as he is facing very serious charges. If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges in Southern California don’t hesitate to contact the experienced and aggressive attorneys at Wallin & Klarich We’ll be there when you call.