Encinitas Councilmember Luke Shaffer Charged with Felony Assault, Two Misdemeanors

Prosecutors have charged Encinitas Councilmember Luke Shaffer with felony assault, as well as two misdemeanor counts. 

The charges, filed by the San Diego County District Attorney’s office, include a felony charge of assault by means likely to produce great bodily injury, along with misdemeanor charges of hit-and-run driving and willful omission to perform duty, according to a complaint obtained by Voice of San Diego. 

The incident occurred July 5, according to the complaint, but the district attorney and courts have not yet made the full details public. However, the complaint states that Shaffer made threats to a member of the public, “did unlawfully commit an assault upon” a person and was “the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in damage to property.” 

“Shaffer did willfully omit to perform a duty enjoined by law upon any public officer or person holding any public trust or employment, to wit: A councilmember has a duty not to use their position to willfully make unlawful threats of retaliatory action against members of the public, including threats to deny or obstruct lawful permits or other lawful entitlements,” the complaint says. 

If convicted, Shaffer faces up to four years in prison on the felony count. The hit-and-run charge carries up to six months in jail or a fine and the omission charge carries up to one year in jail, according to the complaint. 

His arraignment is set for Sept. 9. 

“We expect much more out of our elected officials,” said the victim’s attorney Marco Gonzalez via email. “For the good of his family, and of our city, I would encourage Mr. Shaffer to make a quick retreat from public life at this point.” 

Shaffer did not respond to requests for comment. Encinitas City Manager Jennifer Campbell declined to comment. 

Shaffer is a veteran and a high school lacrosse coach. A newcomer to politics, Shaffer was elected to the Encinitas District 1 City Council seat last November. 

Under state law, a criminal charge alone does not remove a city councilmember from office. An elected official would need to be convicted of a specific crime related to giving or receiving bribes to or from other local or state elected officials. 

So, if Shaffer is convicted, it would not automatically disqualify him from serving. He can remain in his seat unless he resigns or there is a special recall election to remove him from office. 

The post Encinitas Councilmember Luke Shaffer Charged with Felony Assault, Two Misdemeanors appeared first on Voice of San Diego.