Fallbrook

A Fallbrook man accused of hitting a judge and later threatening him after a burglary of the judge’s home pleaded guilty Thursday to first-degree burglary.

Mark Anthony Rodriguez, 28, could receive four years in state prison for the Dec. 21 burglary of Vista Municipal Court Judge Tony Maino’s home, also in Fallbrook.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Rupert Linley said Rodriguez bit Maino on the arm and slugged him in the jaw during the 1:30 a.m. incident. The two fought, and tumbled out on the front lawn before Sheriff’s Department deputies caleld by neighbors arrested Rodriguez.

Both men were treated for minor injuries at Fallbrook Hospital and Rodriguez then threatened Maino, Linley said.

San Diego Superior Court Judge. J. Richard Haden set sentencing for April 17 and dismissed three other counts of battery and threatening a witness of a crime. Linley said he would ask for the full four-year term.

The case was transferred to San Diego because all the Vista judges have known Maino, 46, a former prosecutor, for years.

Linley said it isn’t known if Rodriguez knew Maino was a judge beforehand, but noted that Rodriguez later apologized to Maino by referring to his job before anyone mentioned Maino’s position to him.

Rodriguez remains in County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.