Judge Kevin Rosenberg sentenced a former California Highway Patrol officer Monday to 180 days in L.A. County jail plus a suspended sentence for criminal threats and several charges related to a weapons investigation.
Brian Timothy Powers, 44, of Castaic, was charged with criminal threats, illegal possession of an assault weapon, illegal possession of ghost guns and contempt of court.
Powers pleaded no contest to the criminal threats charge on Aug. 31, which prompted a sentencing report that was filed Sept. 22.
The terms of the deal mentioned in the minute order include a reduction of the criminal threats charge, from a felony to a misdemeanor, to which Powers pleaded no contest.
He also pleaded no contest to four felony charges regarding the illegal possession of an assault weapon.
For those charges, Rosenberg ordered the execution of a suspended sentence for a term of four years. That means the term gets put on hold as long as Powers successfully completes the terms of his probation and stays out of trouble for two years of formal probation. If he does not, he can face the suspended sentence.
He was also given a six-month sentence for one of the weapons charges, but that’s to be served concurrently with the criminal threats charge. The record notes he received credit for 24 days served.
The initial allegations against Powers involved threats made to his now ex-wife.
After Powers left her place of work, deputies located his vehicle in Newhall, where he ran from them, according to court records.
A California Highway Patrol official later reported to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station that he had turned himself in to the authorities.
SCV Sheriff’s Station officials searched Powers’ residence as a result of their investigation into the allegations, and they recovered a number of illegal firearms.
In addition to his sentence, Rosenberg ordered Powers to pay restitution, to be determined at a later date; create a six-month plan for mental health treatment following his release; use only his real name; and not to threaten or harass anyone associated with his case. He must also complete a domestic violence treatment program and parenting classes.
A court order indicated that Powers had relinquished more than a dozen firearms as a term of his sentence.
A restitution hearing and a progress report on Powers’ terms were set for Jan. 5.
LASD custody records indicate Powers is scheduled for release in December.
