IMPERIAL VALLEY, Calif. — A former director of the Imperial Irrigation District who was charged with felony child abuse after being filmed whipping his stepson with a belt has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and placed on three years’ probation.
Anthony Sanchez was also ordered to do 50 hours of community service and enroll in an anger management class under a ruling this week by an Imperial County Superior Court judge. Sanchez pleaded guilty to a charge of child endangerment.
The case caused a national furor after the video, shot from a second-story window by Sanchez’s neighbor in the community of Heber, was posted on YouTube and went viral. Sanchez then resigned from the water district’s board of directors, an elected post, where he was serving his second four-year term.
Sanchez was apparently angry because the boy, who appears to be about 8, was unable to catch and throw a ball proficiently.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Heather Trapnell told the Imperial Valley Press that her office considers the sentence to be fair because “the most important thing to us is that he learns that this is not appropriate behavior.”
Sanchez’s attorney, Ryan Childers, told the paper that his client is pleased that he will not face jail time but that “his life has been changed in a way he never will be fully able to repair.”
Los Angeles Times
13 Comments to “Former Imperial Valley Official Gets Probation Over Child Endangerment”
February 9, 2013 at 5:33 PM
Sanchez’s attorney, Ryan Childers, told the paper that his client is pleased that he will not face jail time but that “his life has been changed in a way he never will be fully able to repair.”
Oh BOOHOOO! Anyone else Joe and/or Jane Public Citizen would have their child taken away and put in jail.
February 10, 2013 at 10:44 AM
yeah….he's the victim isn't he (sanchez). jerk.
February 9, 2013 at 5:43 PM
IID as corrupt as the valley is polluted.
February 9, 2013 at 5:45 PM
Send him back to Mexico.
February 9, 2013 at 6:17 PM
As soon as we send you back Guatemala.
February 9, 2013 at 7:35 PM
idiot
February 9, 2013 at 6:00 PM
So I will be the minority here, Not that the child deserved it as far as I can see however a swat on his butt may make him a better man when he grows up. Most kids today have no clue how to behave nor do they care. The parents are not much better!
February 10, 2013 at 10:24 AM
I grew up beings swatted on the butt from time to time… But to be swatted with a belt for not being able to catch or throw a baseball is extreme.
February 9, 2013 at 11:37 PM
“his life has been changed in a way he never will be fully able to repair." Who cares?! Maybe he'll think twice before beating another child or anyone else.
February 10, 2013 at 6:29 AM
my co-worker's ex-wife makes $78 hourly on the internet. She has been without a job for six months but last month her paycheck was $17112 just working on the internet for a few hours. Here's the site to read more jump15.comCHECK IT OUT
February 10, 2013 at 10:26 AM
"Child Endangerment?" How about "Domestic Violence on a Child." The actions of that child did not warrant the physical punishment imposed upon him. Probation? He should spend way more time in jail!
February 10, 2013 at 10:28 AM
Sanchez’s attorney, Ryan Childers, told the paper that his client is pleased that he will not face jail time but that “his life has been changed in a way he never will be fully able to repair.”
WHAT? WHAAWHAAWHAA! BOOHOOHOO. What about the child's life? This father should have said, "I'm so sorry what I did to my child. I now realize that I was just dead wrong." How about that statement???
February 15, 2013 at 11:53 AM
What I thing Sanchez means is he is going to be labeled. People will be looking at him different now.