Ex-Police Officer Guilty of Battery

A former Oxnard police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to a felony and three misdemeanor charges stemming from an argument with his estranged wife last June, according to the district attorney’s office.

James “Steve” Adams faces up to three years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 10, authorities said. He remains free on $20,000 bail.

Adams pleaded guilty to making felony terrorist threats against his wife, misdemeanor child endangerment and two misdemeanor battery charges, authorities said.

As a part of his plea, Adams admitted threatening his wife outside his parents’ Oxnard home June 5 and traumatizing his 7-year-old daughter, who witnessed the incident, authorities said.

He also admitted battering his brother and a family friend, both of whom tried to intervene in the argument, authorities said.

Two charges that Adams battered his wife will be dropped at sentencing in exchange for his plea on the other charges, authorities said.

Adams was out on medical leave in June because of a back injury he suffered on the job, said Oxnard Police Sgt. Lee Wilcox.

Adams took a medical retirement within the past two months, said Wilcox. He worked for the department for six years.