(Yuba County District Attorney release) – Derek Don Hopkins pled no contest this afternoon in Yuba County Superior Court to two counts of misdemeanor battery for the August 22nd assaults he committed on Marysville Mayor Chris Branscum and City Councilman Dom Belza. Hopkins, who pled without a plea agreement, will face up to the maximum punishment of six months in county jail for each battery. The court scheduled sentencing for September 30, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.

“I am so thankful to live in a community where we look out for one another,” said District Attorney Clint Curry. “Derek Hopkins is going to held responsible for the senseless assault he committed on Mayor Branscum because Dom Belza chose to be an upstander rather than a bystander. He deserves all of our thanks.”

Hopkins was arrested by the Marysville Police on August 22, 2024, for punching Marysville Mayor Chris Branscum and Marysville City Councilman Dom Belza.
Branscum and Belza were with a group of city officials at the intersection of 5th and D Streets in Marysville, waiting to discuss with Congressman Doug LaMalfa the issues surrounding the destroyed Hotel Marysville. Hopkins, a 36-year-old transient, was walking by the group when he suddenly punched Mayor Branscum in the back and ran. Councilman Belza saw the assault and immediately began chasing Hopkins. Hopkins stopped and spun around to face Belza, punching the councilman in the face. Belza tackled Hopkins to the ground and held him until Marysville Chief of Police Chris Sachs arrived.

There was no evidence to suggest that Hopkins knew the men were city officials, and thankfully the men suffered only minor injuries.