VAN NUYS : Officer Pleads Guilty to Spousal Abuse

Los Angeles Police Officer Fred Tepstein pleaded guilty Monday in Van Nuys Superior Court to a single count of spousal abuse, the same day his trial was scheduled to begin.

Tepstein, 43, a 20-year department veteran who is assigned to the Foothill Division, had been charged with four felony counts, including assault with a firearm, false imprisonment and making a terrorist threat.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Daniel Damon said the four original charges will be dropped when Tepstein is sentenced Sept. 30. Tepstein faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison.

Tepstein, who is free on bail, was arrested after his wife told police that on May 3 he had choked her at their Santa Clarita home until she became unconscious. She told police that he had also pointed a gun at her and threatened her.

Neither Tepstein nor his attorney, Steven Flanagan, could be reached for comment.

LAPD spokeswoman Officer Sandra Castello said she could not disclose Tepstein’s current employment status, citing personnel privacy concerns. Castello said an investigation is under way to determine whether Tepstein will be fired or otherwise disciplined.