Broomfield — A Broomfield police officer pleaded guilty to child abuse and prohibited use of a weapon Friday for shooting a girl in the face with a Taser while off duty.
William Van Arsdale, a 16-year veteran, was arrested in January and placed on “modified duty” by the department. He continued to work but was not allowed to carry a weapon or wear a uniform.
Van Arsdale could not be reached for comment. A department spokesperson did not return a call.
Van Arsdale will be sentenced on Sept. 28 and faces up to three years in jail and $6,000 in fines for the two misdemeanors, said Adams County chief deputy district attorney Tom Quammen.
Prosecutors also dismissed a felony child abuse charge against him, Quammen said.
Van Arsdale was a motorcycle officer and also ran the department’s Santa Cops program giving holiday gifts to the needy.
