A 48-year-old Stockton man is facing charges of assaulting a soccer official at Ripon’s Mistlin Sports Park.
Jose Lugo Gonzalez has been cited by Ripon Police for allegedly assaulting a Ripon soccer referee on Sunday after the 22-year-old official called a game following an incident with the opposing team’s coach.
Witnesses told officers that Gonzalez — the father of one of the players — assaulted the referee from behind shortly before noon when the game was called.
The suspect left the park after the incident leaving his 17-year-old daughter behind.
Ripon officers located the suspect and returned him to the police department where they had taken the daughter who had no way home, She had to call her mom who then came to Ripon.  They noted that when Gonzalez returned to the police department he was being cooperative with officers. 
The assault charge was forwarded to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office for processing, according to Police Chief Ed Ormonde.
The California Penal Code 243.8 lists battery against an official during or immediately before or after a game can bring a sentence of up to one year in jail and up to a $2,000 fine or both.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.