Hemet Police Officer Charged With Beating Female Suspect Into Coma

HEMET, CA — A Hemet police officer accused of assaulting a female suspect to the point of causing a significant brain injury was booked into county jail Friday and is scheduled to be arraigned next week on felony charges.

Jacob Alan Hobson, 29, was being held at Riverside's Robert Presley Detention Center in lieu of a $65,000 bail bond.

An investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department into Hobson began last month after the agency was contacted by the Hemet Police Department.

According to Hemet police, on July 23 Hobson approached people gathered behind a gas station in the 1700 block of West Florida Avenue in Hemet. It's unclear what prompted the officer to investigate but he discovered a woman in the group had an outstanding felony warrant.

Hobson tried to handcuff her but she resisted, Hemet police said.

"A subsequent use of force occurred, and the woman was seriously injured while being taken into custody," Hemet police reported.

According to the Hemet agency, the assault left the woman with a "significant brain injury."

Filed charges against Hobson show the officer is facing one count of assault causing great bodily injury, and two counts of assault by a peace officer. He is also facing two sentencing enhancements of causing bodily injury/comatose.

An update on the suspect's medical condition was unavailable.

After its own review, the Hemet Police Department requested an independent investigation by the Force Investigations Detail Task Force, a team made up of investigators from the District Attorney’s Office and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Hobson turned himself in and was booked late Friday morning, according to the sheriff's department and jail records. He is scheduled for arraignment Monday afternoon.

Hobson was placed on administrative leave, Hemet police said.