News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 8/02/07

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook Deputy District Attorney, Brian Staebell

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

OAKLAND POLICE OFFICER GUILTY OF ASSAULT WITH A FIREARM

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Christopher Delrosario, a Sergeant with the Oakland Police Department, pled guilty in Sonoma County Superior Court on July 27, 2007 to a charge of felony assault with a firearm. Delrosario also admitted a sentencing enhancement for personally using an assault weapon in the commission of that offense. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 17, 2007. The crimes carry a maximum sentence of nineteen years in prison.

District Attorney Passalacqua said, "This was a serious case involving the intimidation of witnesses with the use of a firearm."

The charges were the result of an incident that occurred the evening of September 1, 2006 in the city of Sonoma. Two witnesses testified that they observed a woman walking alone on Napa St. late that night. They were concerned because the weather was cold, the woman had no jacket, and she was repeatedly looking over her shoulder. As they turned around to offer assistance, Delrosario pulled his vehicle next to the woman. Both witnesses observed the defendant grab the woman and attempt to pull her into his vehicle. When they attempted to stop the assault, the defendant pulled a semi-automatic firearm from his waistband and pointed it at the witnesses.

The defendant was located a short time later. After repeatedly denying he had a firearm with him, officers found a semi-automatic firearm concealed under the hood of his vehicle.

Deputy District Attorney Brian Staebell was the assigned prosecutor on this case.