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48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, April 22, 2005 Today's News | Shop Our Valley | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery | Contact Us SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Health Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley SHOP OUR VALLEY AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Classified Place an ad TOP JOBS EXTRA Ashland News NIE Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Moving here? eSouthernOregon CUSTOMER SERVICE FAQ's Advertise with us Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend April 21, 2005 Detective to avoid grand-jury inquiry By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune A former Josephine County sheriff’s detective is expected to plead guilty today to a misdemeanor menacing charge in connection with an alleged domestic-violence incident involving his teenage fiancee. In exchange for Sean Valdez’s guilty plea, prosecutors will not present the case to a grand jury, said John Norton, a Jackson County deputy district attorney. Valdez has agreed to enter into a domestic-violence diversion program that includes 24 hours of community service, a $500 fine, no contact with the victim and counseling. The menacing charge will be dismissed after six months if Valdez successfully completes the program and remains a law-abiding citizen, Norton said. "(Valdez) is being treated how most folks similarly situated are usually treated when there is no physical injury" in a domestic-violence case, said his attorney, Chris Mecca of Grants Pass. Josephine County prosecutors asked the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office to handle the case to avoid the potential for any conflict of interest because of Valdez’s law-enforcement career in Josephine County, Norton said. Advertisement Valdez, 30, of Grants Pass, worked as a sheriff’s detective for seven years before resigning earlier this month, Mecca said. Valdez was placed on paid administrative leave after a Josephine County sheriff’s sergeant and Oregon State Police troopers went to his Cloverlawn Lane home on March 25 in response to a reported disturbance involving his 19-year-old fiancee, police said. Following an initial investigation, Valdez was transported by OSP troopers to the Josephine County Jail, where he was lodged on a misdemeanor charge of fourth-degree assault. He was released on bail after spending about one hour in jail, police said. If Valdez completes the diversion program and the misdemeanor charge is dismissed, he will retain his right to possess firearms and could seek future employment in law enforcement, Mecca said. Oregon law prohibits a person from owning or possessing a gun if they are convicted of a crime relating to domestic violence. "My hope is that everything works out for (Valdez)," Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel said. "He’s a good officer and as long as his police certification remains intact, I’d hire him back." Last month, a grand jury decided Valdez should not face criminal charges for shooting and wounding a Rogue River man who police say tried to run down several police officers Feb. 20 while operating a log skidder (like a bulldozer) on a Savage Creek Road property. The injured man, Michael Murray, 41, faces multiple counts of attempted aggravated murder of police officers and other charges in connection with the incident. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback Free Music Downloads Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers home equity loans helzberg Distance Education Diamonds Online Poker Slippers Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation teleconferencing Memory Foam Mattress w2 forms Tatoo Tatoos Advertisement s