For over 30 years Michael Hennessey was sheriff of San Francisco, but 2011 was his last year as the seat gets passed down to another. 50-year-old Ross Mirkarimi celebrated a huge promotion when he took the seat of sheriff, but less then a week later Mirkarimi found himself in one of his own jails.
Mirkarimi was arrested after a neighbor contacted police for an alleged assault on his wife Eliana Lopez (a former Venezuelan TV Star). Lopez confided with a neighbor after Mirkarimi allegedly grabbed her arm during an argument which left a bruise on her upper arm. The neighbor then video taped her bruises and upset state after the incident on New Years Eve.
Lopez's neighbor then contacted police with the information and showed them the video. Authorities then confiscated the video and text messages between the two women for their investigation. The deputies he was in charge of, booked Mirkarimi for Domestic violence and battery. The district attorney's office has added child endangerment and dissuading a witness to his charges.
"No one is above the law," District Attorney George said. "Whether it's the elected sheriff or any other San Francisco resident, this type of behavior is inexcusable, criminal, and will be prosecuted in court."
Mirkarimi is of course disputes the charges and is planning on fighting them. Since the incident Lopez said she has no complaints with her husband, stating it was just a private "family matter" and the incident was "completely taken out of context".
If convicted, Ross Mirkarimi faces a $400 fine, 3 years probation and he would be only sheriff in California prohibited from carrying a gun.
Alex Webb
NewsFlash420
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