GREENFIELD — A Greenfield police officer has been convicted of battery for attacking his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend while off-duty during a party in May 2022, announced Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on Thursday.
Christian Tapia-Leon, 31, an officer employed by the Greenfield Police Department, pleaded no contest to one count of battery on April 5.
On May 1, 2022, Tapia found out through a Snapchat video that his girlfriend was attending a family party in Gonzales, where her ex-boyfriend was also in attendance. He texted multiple vulgarities and a screenshot of the post to his girlfriend before showing up at the house party with a friend.
According to Pacioni, Tapia stormed through the house and into the backyard, where he “immediately attacked the ex-boyfriend,” punching him multiple times. Witnesses told police the victim was blindsided by the attack and fell to the ground as a result.
The victim suffered a single bump with bruising on his head, but he did not seek medical care.
Following the attack, Gonzales police responded to the house and asked Tapia what happened.
“He repeatedly lied to officers, told them nothing happened, and that there was no fight,” Pacioni said.
After denying anyone was fighting, Tapia changed his story and told officers that people at the party attacked his friend for no reason, and he was only trying to get his friend out of the house.
Police interviewed numerous witnesses, who confirmed that Tapia showed up “out of nowhere” and attacked the victim. When officers questioned Tapia’s friend, who was not identified, he also told them that Tapia was angry about the ex-boyfriend being at the party and beat him up.
A warrant for Tapia’s arrest was issued more than a month after the attack on June 10, 2022.
Tapia was sentenced to 30 days of home confinement, as a condition of misdemeanor probation. He also is precluded from possessing or owning a firearm for 10 years due to the conviction.
According to Greenfield Police Chief Guillermo Mixer, Tapia is currently on unpaid administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
“We want you to know that this behavior does not align with the values of our department and is not tolerated,” Mixer said on social media Thursday. “We hold ourselves accountable to you, our community, and will continue to do so. Our goal is to serve you with integrity, pride, and the highest level of professionalism. Your trust in us is important, and we will work hard to maintain it.”
