Ontario airport officer set to appear in court for alleged spousal abuse

An attorney representing an Ontario airport police officer charged with misdemeanor battery declined to comment when asked questions about the case this afternoon.

Francisco Santiago, 36, is set to appear in West Valley Superior Court on Wednesday morning for a pre-trial hearing in his case.

Santiago's attorney, Palmdale-based Mark A. Johnson, declined to say whether Santiago is open to negotiating a plea bargain with prosecutors.

"The case is still pending, is all I can tell you," Johnson said. "... It's too soon. That's all I can tell you at the moment."

Santiago, who is employed by Los Angeles World Airports and patrols LA/Ontario International Airport, is accused of punching his wife in the face March 16 at the couple's home in the 7100 block of Westhaven Place in Rancho Cucamonga.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Johnson declined to say whether he has received discovery documents, such as police reports, from prosecutors with the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office.

Johnson also declined to say whether Santiago is on leave from his job as a police officer.

"That's protected by the penal code," Johnson said. "I couldn't release that if I wanted to."