San Francisco, CA –  San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced today that San Francisco Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Espiritu (49), has been charged with domestic violence and multiple felonies in connection to incidents involving a woman with which he had a previous dating relationship. Mr. Espiritu was arraigned on April 8, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to each charge and denied all allegations.  Mr. Espiritu is charged with two counts of domestic violence (PC 273.5(a)), one count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury (PC 245(a)(4)), two counts of false imprisonment (PC 236), one count of stalking (PC 646.9(a)), one count of domestic battery (PC 243(e)(1)), one count of dissuading a witness (PC 136.1(b)(1)), one count of unlawful use of an electronic tracking device (PC 637.7(a)) and one count of obstruction of use of wireless device to summon assistance (PC 591.5). 

“I would like to thank the survivor in this case for coming forward and reporting these crimes to law enforcement,” said District Attorney Brooke Jenkins.  “My office will now do everything we can to ensure that there is accountability, and that justice is served.” 

According to court records, Mr. Espiritu and the victim had an “on and off” dating relationship which the victim tried to end after he allegedly became increasingly possessive of the victim.  Allegedly, on August 14, 2023, Mr. Espiritu strangled the victim in her own home when she tried to end the relationship.  On December 8, 2023, Mr. Espiritu is alleged to have attacked the victim at her workplace. On March 7, 2024, Mr. Espiritu is alleged to have slapped the victim in a car and then threatened to kill himself if she reported him to law enforcement. On April 3, 2024, the victim reported the abuse after she found a tracking device on her vehicle.  San Francisco Police detained and arrested Mr. Espiritu in close proximity to where the victim was filing the report.

Mr. Espiritu is currently in custody. His next court date is April 19, 2024 in Department 12 at the Hall of Justice for the preliminary hearing in this matter. The District Attorney’s Office moved to detain him pending trial because of the public safety risk he poses. The court granted the motion to detain without prejudice and set no bail for Mr. Espiritu. The court will hear further arguments on the motion to detain at a future hearing.  

Although charges have been filed, this remains an active investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the San Francisco Police Department Tip Line at 1-415-575-4444 or Text a Tip to TIP411 and begin the text message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous.

If you or a loved one is in need of support, please seek help. In an emergency call 9-1-1.

Below are additional resources for support:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (text) START to 88788 or call 800.799.7233

• WOMAN, Inc 24/7 Support Line, 877.384.3578

• Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic (CROC) 415.969.6711

• La Casa De Las Madres Crisis text, 415.200.3575

• A Women’s Place 415.487.2140

• Mission Neighborhood Resource Center 415.869.7977

• Asian Women’s Shelter 24/7 crisis line, 877.751.0880 

Court Number: 24006006

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