Orange County District Attorney Press Release
For Immediate Release, Case # 13NF0734: February 7, 2014
SANTA ANA – A former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy was sentenced today for repeatedly assaulting a woman, with whom he had a relationship, after she discovered on Christmas Day that he was sexually involved with another woman. Mark Eric Hibner, 44, Anaheim, was found guilty by a jury, Oct. 22, 2013, of two felony counts of domestic battery with corporal injury and three felony counts of criminal threats. The People requested a state prison sentence, but Hibner was sentenced today to one year in jail and five years formal probation.
At the time of the crimes, Hibner was a 22-year deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was involved in a romantic relationship with Jane Doe #1 for several years.
On Dec. 25, 2012, Hibner got into an argument with Jane Doe #1 after the victim discovered a sexually suggestive voicemail from another woman on the defendant’s cell phone.
The following day, Dec. 26, 2012, Hibner continued to argue with Jane Doe #1 over his relationship with the other woman. Over the next few days, Hibner physically assaulted Jane Doe #1, spit on the victim, repeatedly swore at her, and threatened to kill her.
On Dec. 30, 2012, Hibner woke Jane Doe #1 and dragged her to the living room. Hibner threw the victim on the floor and got on top of her. Jane Doe #1 cried, begged Hiber to stop, and banged her foot on the floor to wake the neighbors. Hibner then covered the victim’s mouth, pinched her nose, and threatened to make her pass out. He got off of Jane Doe #1, spit on her, threw a lit cigarette at her, and called her derogatory names.
On Feb. 19, 2013, Hibner met with Jane Doe #2, with whom he formerly had a romantic relationship and children, for a child custody exchange. During the meeting, Hibner threatened to kill Jane Doe #2 if she appeared in court at a hearing scheduled for two days later regarding a protective order for the crimes against Jane Doe #1.
At the sentencing today, Jane Doe #1 submitted a written impact statement letter to the Court which read in part, “Mark kept me in a bubble. He isolated me from family and friends. I was not allowed to see my family. Mark would keep me from them. If I did not do what he said, he told me they would be in danger because he was the law and they were trash in his eyes.” Jane Doe #1 went on to say, “I am ruined emotionally and financially. He wore me down to nothing and I would not want to see this happen to anyone else. He abused his power as an officer of the law.”
The Anaheim Police Department Investigated this case. Deputy District Attorney Lori Smith of the Family Protection Unit prosecuted this case.
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Tony Rackauckas, District Attorney
401 Civic Center Drive West
Santa Ana, CA 92701Contacts:
Susan Kang Schroeder
Chief of Staff
Office: 714-347-8408
Cell: 714-292-2718
Farrah Emami
Spokesperson
Office: 714-347-8405
Cell: 714-323-4486
