Former officer observed on video shoving wife, endangering children

He faces misdemeanor charges; department fires him

A former Chico Police Department officer finds himself not only in significant legal jeopardy, but also without a job.

Detectives from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jonathan Goble of Oroville Feb. 21 on charges of misdemeanor domestic violence and child endangerment. The arrest resulted from a joint investigation with the Butte County District Attorney’s Office and in coordination with the Chico Police Department, which had employed Goble.

Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the detectives viewed videos of alleged abuse and endangerment taken from surveillance cameras inside Goble’s home, where he lived with his wife and two children, ages 4 years and 6 months.

Ramsey said Goble was visible in the videos pushing his wife of seven years, and screaming obscenities and punching a wall while holding the 6-month-old and in the presence of the 4-year-old. In another incident, Goble was observed on video as angrily grabbing up the 4-year-old from the floor, which left deep red marks on her chest.

Goble was a member of the Chico Police Department, having been sworn in as a probationary police officer in June 2022. His department suspended Goble’s peace officer powers the night of his arrest, then fired him Feb. 23.

Ramsey explained that child endangerment charges can arise from actions that willfully cause or permit a child to suffer unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering.

Detectives took Goble to the Butte County Jail, where he posted $7,500 bail Feb. 22 and was released to appear in court for arraignment April 21. Goble faces as much as 48 months on formal probation as well as jail time for his actions if convicted. He may also be required to take parenting classes and domestic violence classes.