Chula Vista police officer pleads not guilty to battery counts

CHULA VISTA (CNS) – A Chula Vista police officer pleaded not guilty Monday to four misdemeanor battery counts stemming from an off-duty dispute with his girlfriend’s 16-year-old son.

The allegations against patrolman Roman Granados stem from a fight he allegedly had with the teenager during a graduation ceremony at Chula Vista Hills Elementary School, CVPD Capt. Lon Turner said.

Granados, 47, was attending the June 5 event with his girlfriend, one of whose children was taking part in the ceremony, the captain said.

During the function, the alleged victim confronted his mother about a prior disagreement, and Granados intervened. A scuffle broke out, at which point the officer allegedly battered the teen. Witnesses alleged Granados was the sole aggressor, Turner said.

By the time officers arrived at the school to investigate the disturbance, Granados had left. Police contacted and questioned him at his home that evening.

The teen initially declined medical treatment but went to a medical facility hours later for evaluation of complaints of pain, Turner said.

The CVPD Family Protection Unit immediately opened a criminal investigation, at which point Granados was reassigned to desk duty pending the outcome of the case.

Detectives forwarded their findings to the county District Attorney’s Office, which filed the charges July 29.

Granados, who has been with the South Bay police agency for 14 years, faces up to a year in jail if convicted.

He remains free on his own recognizance and is scheduled to return to court Nov. 18 for a readiness conference, Trial was set for Feb. 24.