MURRIETA: Fired officer pleads guilty to domestic violence

May 31, 2013 04:16 PM PDT May 31, 2013 04:16 PM PDT MURRIETA: Fired officer pleads guilty to domestic violence MURRIETA: Fired officer pleads guilty to domestic violence RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPT./CONTRIBUTED IMAGE Chad Michael Bennett Comments ( ) A fired Murrieta police officer -- who sent an angry, rambling letter to city officials and the news media earlier this year criticizing his former bosses -- has pleaded guilty to one felony domestic violence count as part of an agreement with prosecutors, court records show. Chad Michael Bennett, 39, was sentenced to time served plus 160 days in a work-release program, three years' probation and 20 hours of community service. He also was ordered to enroll in domestic violence prevention and mental health programs and pay several fines and fees. Bennett, who was dismissed from the Murrieta Attorney Police Department in February, had been charged with stalking, domestic violence and two felony counts of false imprisonment, as well as four misdemeanors. The charges were filed in March and the incidents dated back to March 2012 and all involved his ex-girlfriend, court records say. Those charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement. According to Riverside County court records, Bennett, who was apparently suicidal, was detained at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Murrieta Attorney on May 1 after he showed up in the lobby asking for his ex-girlfriend. Hospital officials had previously asked him to stay away. Bennett's letter, filled with profanities directed at his former superiors, accused police officials of treating him unfairly and named several officers he said had had extramarital affairs and otherwise behaved badly. Follow Sarah Burge on Twitter @sarahkburge or online at blog.pe.com/crime-blotter Latest Headlines
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