LOCAL
LAGUNA BEACH
& ORANGE
COUNTY TOP
STORIES
Christopher Hibbs allegedly unlawfully tasered a handcuffed suspect in 2007.
An Orange County sheriff's deputy has been indicted on suspicion of abusing his authority by tasering a handcuffed suspect in his patrol car last year.
Christopher Hibbs, 45, of Corona, was indicted by an Orange County grand jury Sept. 10 on two felony assault charges. The indictment was unsealed today.
Christopher Hibbs, 45, of Corona, was indicted by an Orange County grand jury Sept. 10 on two felony assault charges. The indictment was unsealed today.
The case stems from the arrest and subsequent conviction of 31-year-old Ignacio Gomez Lares on weapons charges. Lares was arrested Sept. 13, 2007, after being stopped for walking in public with an open beer bottle.
Prosecutors say Hibbs lawfully tasered Lares when he tried to flee and resisted arrest. Hibbs allegedly unlawfully tasered him again when the handcuffed Lares repeatedly identified himself as Ignacio Gomez -- a name that resulted in no matches in authorities' databases.
Hibbs, a 12-year veteran of the sheriff's department, has been on administrative leave since the Orange County district attorney's office began investigating the incident earlier this year. If convicted, he could face a maximum three years in prison.
Prosecutors say Hibbs lawfully tasered Lares when he tried to flee and resisted arrest. Hibbs allegedly unlawfully tasered him again when the handcuffed Lares repeatedly identified himself as Ignacio Gomez -- a name that resulted in no matches in authorities' databases.
Hibbs, a 12-year veteran of the sheriff's department, has been on administrative leave since the Orange County district attorney's office began investigating the incident earlier this year. If convicted, he could face a maximum three years in prison.
