Judge dismisses child endangerment charges against OC Democratic party leader

A judge on Tuesday dismissed misdemeanor child endangerment charges against Victor Valladares, a Huntington Beach activist who’s an elected member of the Democractic Party of Orange County’s central committee.

Valladares said he’s regained visitation rights with his two sons, whom he hadn’t seen in almost two years.

“I’ve just always kept my head up,” Valladares, 34, said. “I knew justice was going to be on my side.”

Valladares on Wednesday also filed an appeal with the California Democratic Party, asking them to reverse a May decision by the local party to remove him as a vice chair.

Fellow OC Democratic Party central committee members voted him out 40-11, with some citing frustration that Valladares had cursed the party for choosing Joe Biden as its nominee over Bernie Sanders.

The vote came as conservative blogs also shared stories about Valladares’ criminal charges, including serious abuse allegations from his ex-wife, who’s been locked in a messy custody battle with him for seven years. His ex-wife didn’t respond Wednesday to a request for comment on the court’s decision.

Jeff LeTourneau, a vice chair with the OC Democratic party, wrote a letter of support for Valladares’ appeal, saying he wasn’t given a fair shake at the May hearing. LeTourneau said Valladares wasn’t given enough notice or time to prepare his defense and that it wasn’t even made clear exactly why he was being removed.

Valladares’ appeal, and the county party’s response, is now with the California Democratic Party for review.