FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) - Mohave County prosecutors will decide whether a former Flagstaff police officer will face charges for punching a woman in the face in an incident captured on video, authorities said Wednesday.
The Coconino County Attorney’s Office said it has referred the case against Jeff Bonar to Mohave County prosecutors to make the final charging decision.
Mohave County Attorney Matthew Smith said it takes “at least a week or two” to review the case and make a decision.
He said his office has the option to file either felony or misdemeanor charges or none at all.
Bonar, who had been on administrative leave while police internal affairs and criminal investigations were conducted, resigned Wednesday after a disciplinary board recommended he be fired.
“Bonar’s conduct is not reflective of the way we police this community,” Flagstaff Police Chief Kevin Treadway said at a news conference.
Treadway said Bonar violated at least six Flagstaff police policies, including displaying excessive force, in the Nov. 16 incident.
Marissa Morris said she was punched by Bonar and she denied a claim by the officer that she kicked and kneed him in the groin before he threw the punch.
The incident occurred as the Flagstaff woman and her boyfriend were being evicted. A video shot by the brother-in-law of Morris’ boyfriend was widely circulated on social media.
Bonar was wearing a body camera, but it wasn’t turned on, according to police who said he had no prior incidents in a three-year career with the department.
Police have said Bonar knew of arrest warrants for Morris in previous DUI cases, but authorities determined after the incident that those warrants were no longer active.
Morris, 30, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and resisting arrest, but released after her initial court appearance.
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