Ex-Santa Rosa firefighter faces felony vandalism trial

A former Santa Rosa firefighter will stand trial on felony vandalism charges involving a 2015 incident at his ex-girlfriend’s Santa Rosa home.

In a court hearing this week, two Santa Rosa police officers and the ex-girlfriend testified in the case against Brian Campbell, 42, and convinced Judge Peter Ottenweller there was enough credible evidence for a trial.

Campbell was arrested by Santa Rosa officers after he went to the woman’s house April 10 and destroyed some appliances and personal items, said Thomas Gotshall, the deputy district attorney who led Monday’s preliminary hearing for the prosecution.

Damage at the home was estimated at $20,000, Gotshall said.

During the hearing the woman testified under the name “Jane Doe,” as identities of domestic violence victims are not released by law enforcement.

Campbell last year faced further criminal issues when he was arrested July 3 in a suspected drunken-?driving case. He was slated to return to court Friday to get a trial date on the felony vandalism case and for further proceedings on the drunken-?driving charge.

Campbell was a longtime firefighter, including years as a volunteer and paid Bennett Valley firefighter. He also worked for the Santa Rosa Fire Department for almost 10 years before being terminated in August.

Staff Writer Randi Rossmann contributed to this report. You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter@ppayne.