SAN DIEGO : Officer Pleads Guilty to Assault Charge
San Diego Police Officer Michael Moller pleaded guilty Monday to one misdemeanor count of assault stemming from an incident in which a transient was slightly injured after receiving a head butt.
Michael A. Moller, who turns 32 today, pleaded guilty to one count of assault under the color of authority while on duty in a plea bargain that saw the charge dropped from a felony to a misdemeanor.
Moller pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial stemming from the March 13 attack on Michael Carvajal, who testified earlier this year that Moller smashed his forehead into his face for no apparent reason.
Superior Court Judge William Mudd will sentence the officer on Dec. 8. While Moller could be sentenced to up to one year in jail, Mudd indicated Monday that he will order him to serve probation or perform community service.
Moller’s future with the department remains unclear. Since his arrest in July, he has been working a desk job.
“The administrative review continues and in the meantime he remains on administrative duty,” police spokesman David Cohen said.
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