Roman Granados, a 14-year veteran of the Chula Vista Police Department, faces four misdemeanor charges stemming from an off-duty incident where he allegedly roughed up his girlfriend’s 16-year-old son.
CVPD responded to a disturbance call at about 6:45 p.m. on June 5 after a promotion ceremony at Chula Vista Hills Elementary School where Granados became physical with the boy, said police Capt. Lon Turner.
Granados had left the scene by the time police arrived but was contacted and questioned about the incident at his home later that day, Turner said.
The teenager’s biological father, who did not want to provide his name to protect the identity of his teenage son, said Granados “punched and choked” his son.
“He’s supposed to be protecting the citizens of Chula Vista, and here he is, beating on a 16-year-old, and attacking him in a crowd trying to be sneaky about it and attacking him more than once,” said the victim’s father. “He attacked my son when he was already injured once, it’s just ridiculous.”
The boy initially declined medical attention but later checked in to a medical facility for head pain, Turner said.
The extent of the teen’s injuries is unknown.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday formerly charged Granados, 46, with two misdemeanor counts of battery and two counts of cruelty to a child.
The police department’s Family Protection Unit opened a criminal investigation and submitted their findings to the DA.
Granados was placed on administrative leave at the time of the police department’s investigation but is now on administrative assignment, Turner said.
Turner said confidentially laws prevent him from disclosing if Granados had received any citizen complaints during his career.
A week after the altercation, the boy sought a restraining order against the patrol officer and his mother.
A San Diego Superior Court judge granted the restraining order against Granados and ordered him to stay 100 yards away from the teen for one year.
Court papers show that Granados in the past has been intimidating toward his own children.
“I fear for the physical, psychological and emotional well-being of (their children) as well as their general safety,” said Granados’ ex-wife Andrea Granados in court documents.
Granados and his ex-wife divorced in August 2012 after 17 years of marriage.
Andrea accuses Granados in court documents of being a heavy drinker.
The alleged victim’s father also said that his son has been outspoken about Granados’ drinking problems.
After the altercation with the teenager, Andrea is seeking full custody of the two children she shares with Granados.
Andrea also states that the two children where in Granados’ care during the altercation with the 16-year-old boy.
Both parties currently have joint custody.
A restraining order against the boy’s mother, Blanca Jimenez, is to be heard on Sept. 11.
The boy, in court documents, alleges that his mother also became abusive during the altercation with Granados.
“…She grabbed my arm and she tried to push me away from the crowd,” he said in court papers. “As soon as she realized that she wasn’t strong enough to pull me away, she dug her nails into my skin while I essentially pulled her to my brother.”
Granados has an Aug. 25 court date at the San Diego Superior Court in Chula Vista.
Turner said it is up to the District Attorney’s Office to decide if any criminal charges will be brought against Jimenez.
