Deputy Arrested in Assault Case

A Ventura County sheriff’s deputy was arrested and jailed Thursday afternoon on suspicion of spousal abuse, authorities said.

Deputy Gary Hughes, an 18-year employee of the department, was taken into custody after deputies responded to his Thousand Oaks home, Capt. Keith Parks said.

Hughes’ wife did not call 911, Parks said, but deputies did receive a call from either a neighbor or someone else about a problem at the house. The 40-year-old Hughes was jailed for allegedly assaulting his wife.

At the time of the incident, Hughes, who works in the sheriff’s East Valley Station in Thousand Oaks, was not on duty.

Hughes’ wife was not taken to a hospital. The captain did not know what, if any, injuries she may have sustained.

Hughes was not at his home when deputies arrived, Parks said. He was found at another location in Thousand Oaks later Thursday and arrested, Parks said.

At about 10 p.m., Hughes remained in custody in lieu of $20,000 bail, but he had contacted a bail bondsman to arrange his release, according to officials.

Parks said Hughes was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.