CHP officer jailed on spousal abuse charges

<p>A California Highway Patrol officer was being held in the Sonoma County jail on felony spousal abuse charges, jail officials confirmed Thursday.</p><p>Richard Robert Shuman Jr., 39, of Santa Rosa, was arrested for acts that allegedly occurred on July 19, released on bail and then arrested July 26 on charges he violated a newly issued restraining order.</p><p>He's charged with one felony and two misdemeanor counts of inflicting corporal injury on his wife of 18 months, a felony count of attempting to dissuade her from filing a report against him, possession of a controlled substance and violating a protective order.</p><p>He has pleaded not guilty and was being held on $100,000 bail, jail officials said.</p><p>A preliminary hearing is set for Aug. 18.</p><p>Shuman's lawyer, Stephen Turer, said the officer was expecting to be released from custody late Thursday.</p><p>Shuman has been with the CHP for 11 years and is on administrative leave from his assignment at the Rohnert Park office, Turer said.</p><p>The attorney said the charges stemmed from an argument that happened after Shuman returned from work. He said there was an altercation between the married couple, and the wife alleges he pushed and choked her.</p><p>Shuman was arrested that night and posted $30,000 bail. But he was arrested again about a week later when she alleged that he contacted her in violation of a restraining order, Turer said.</p><p>The woman told deputies Shuman tried to get her to recant her statements about the initial incident, Turer said.</p><p>CHP Spokesman Jon Sloat would not discuss the case or say if Shuman is facing discipline. He said the Sheriff's Office is investigating.</p><p>A sheriff's spokesman did not immediately return calls Thursday.</p>