Anthony Sanchez, Imperial Irrigation District DirectorHEBER, Calif. (CBS 8) - A board member with the Imperial Irrigation District is under investigation for allegedly abusing his stepson after a neighbor caught a beating incident on tape.
The disturbing video shows Anthony Sanchez repeatedly striking the 10-year-old boy with a belt while the two are playing catch in their backyard just south of El Centro in Imperial County. Neighbor Oscar Lopez shot the video Wednesday and turned it over to the Imperial County Sheriff's Department Thursday.
Sanchez, 34, sits on the board of the Imperial Irrigation District, which is an elected position. Relatives say Sanchez also coaches youth baseball.
Imperial County Sheriff Lt. Scott Sheppeard told News 8 investigators are reviewing the videotape and will soon be in contact with the child, who relatives say is traveling to Alabama with his mother to visit the boy's grandmother.
No charges have been filed and Sanchez's attorney said his client is cooperating with the investigation. Reached on his cell phone Thursday, Sanchez said he had no comment.
