San Mateo County Man Takes Plea Deal in Deputy Threat Case

By Bay City News Service:

An El Granada car enthusiast pleaded no contest this week to threatening a sheriff’s deputy on social media, according to the San Mateo District County Attorney’s Office.

Twenty-four-year-old El Granada resident Gervacio Ronquillo Jr. originally pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing and resisting an executive officer after posting threats on his Instagram account against a deputy.

Two of the allegedly threats read, “I’m gonna plant a bomb on his patrol car!” and “one day he will get a bullet!”

Ronquillo allegedly directed the threats at a deputy who issued Ronquillo a traffic citation for not having a proper smog check.

The district attorney’s office decided to charge Ronquillo with obstructing and resisting an executive officer rather than threats against a deputy because prosecutors said Ronquillo was allegedly using the threats to stop the deputy from doing his work.

According to a plea agreement with prosecutors, Ronquillo will serve 120 days in the county jail but no time in state prison.

He must serve three years of supervised probation after he is released from jail. Ronquillo’s defense attorney Brandon Douglas did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

RELATED ON PATCH:

• Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening San Mateo Sheriff’s Deputy on Social Media
• El Granada Man Pleads Not Guilty to Deterring Officers in Threats Case