Sheriff's Deputy Arrested in Mission Viejo, Charged With Domestic Violence

An Orange County sheriff's deputy was charged today with shoving his wife, who hit her head when she fell, and trying to get a gun in violation of a protective order, according to prosecutors.

Deputy Travis Christopher Unholz, 36,  was charged with felony domestic battery with corporal injury, felony attempted possession of a gun in violation of a protective order, two misdemeanor counts of child abuse and a misdemeanor count of violating a protective order, Deputy District Attorney Cyril Yu said.

Unholz also faces a sentencing enhancement allegation for committing a crime while on bail, Yu said.

Unholz, a 13-year veteran of the department who has served on SWAT and
was most recently assigned to the Men's Central Jail in Santa Ana, is on paid
administrative leave, Orange County Assistant Sheriff Mike James said.

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Unholz allegedly shoved his wife down during an argument Sunday and she cut her head, Yu said. Their two children were home at the time, the added. 

Deputies were sent to Unholz's Trabuco Canyon home at 6:20 p.m. Sunday to investigate a disturbance, Orange County sheriff's spokesman John McDonald
said.

The woman was taken by ambulance to a hospital for a cut. She called a friend who called the sheriff's department, Yu said.

Unholz was released from jail Monday on $50,000 bail, Yu said. A protective order prohibited him from contacting his wife or possessing a gun, Yu said.

His service revolver was taken from him after he was arrested and placed on leave, James said.

Unholz was arrested again Wednesday night in Mission Viejo when he violated the protective order by trying to obtain a gun from a friend and asking his friend to relay a message to his wife, Yu said. Unholz was also trying to get a "survival kit'' from his friend, but it was unclear what that would include, Yu said.

Bail has been set at $250,000 for Unholz, James said. But Yu said he will seek to have Unholz held on no bail at his arraignment.

Unholz faces up to six years and eight months in prison if he is convicted, Yu said.

—City News Service