Clovis man pleads to battery charge

A Clovis man pleaded no contest Tuesday to a charge of battery on a peace officer, according to a release from the Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Jose Gonzalez, 31, was sentenced to one year in prison. A jury trial was scheduled to begin Tuesday morning, but Gonzalez pleaded before the prosecution delivered opening arguments.

According to the release:

• Last December, Gonzalez was in the back seat of a vehicle involved in a high-speed chase, and jumped out of the vehicle to escape on foot.

• Gonzalez was tackled by Clovis Police Officer Dianne Flores, and grazed her with a thrown punch.

• He was apprehended a few days after the incident.

The maximum punishment for the charge, a fourth-degree felony, is 18 months and a fine of up to $5,000. Gonzalez, on probation for DWI, is facing pending drug trafficking charges.