Accusations of illegally dealing firearms lead to arrest of Sanger cop by federal agents
A Sanger police officer faces accusations of illegally dealing firearms and lying about it.
Daniel Battenfield, a K-9 officer, appeared in a courtroom Friday afternoon at Robert E. Coyle United States Courthouse to face charges of dealing firearms without a license, making false statements to federal agents and making false statements in connection to firearms.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges through his attorney in his first appearance in court. The attorney declined to comment after the hearing.
Battenfield was ordered to be released on his own recognizance on Friday under conditions he surrender all firearms, not leave his home for more than 24 hours and not leave the Eastern District of California, among other stipulations.
The Sanger Police Department released a statement on Friday, noting they were notified of the investigation into Battenfield in July. He was placed on leave and has been on paid leave since then, according to the police department.
Many of the details related to the case were not immediately available Friday afternoon.
Battenfield was sworn in by Sanger Police Department in March 2021, according to a post by the police department.
An Exeter High graduate, he is also an Army veteran who served tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the department.
Battenfield was named Officer of the Year by the Sanger Police Department in 2023.
This story was originally published December 20, 2024 at 3:21 PM.
