FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, a Democrat representing the 31st District of California has been arrested for “Willful Cruelty To A Child.”
The Fresno Police Department confirms the assemblyman was cited on Monday, Dec. 10 on the misdemeanor charge and released.
Child Protective Services called Fresno Police just before 2:00pm Monday, reporting a child with a mark on their body.
Police Chief Jerry Dyer, speaking to KMJ News said “the child was in fact injured, and during the course of that investigation we were able to determine that the person responsible for that injury was Joaquin Arambula, and that incident had occurred the evening before, at about 8:30pm. So Joaquin was contacted, he responded to the school with his attorney and based on the advice of his attorney did not provide a statement to the officers, the officers based on the information that they had from the child and some other physical evidence had determined that he had committed a crime.”
Arambula’s office released a statement: “Joachin is a committed father who wants what’s best for his children. He is fully supportive of the process which will show he is a loving and nurturing father.”
“Obviously with a misdemeanor, it did not rise to the level of a felony based on the injury,” said Chief Dyer, “but it is “Willful Cruelty To A Child,” and that will ultimately be determined by a judge in terms of the penalty.”
For this type of child abuse charge, Arambula could face up to one year in jail if he is convicted, and a possible fine up to $2000 dollars.
The Chair of the Fresno County Democratic Party, Michael Evans, would not comment, saying he had insufficient information.
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
