Arroyo Grande City Councilman Ed Arnold resigned on Tuesday night after admitting he has become “a distraction” to the city.

Distraction is an understatement.

Arnold is facing five felony charges, including assault with a deadly weapon and domestic violence against a woman who lived with him and his wife. He pleaded not guilty to those charges in January.

On April 14, Arnold also pleaded not guilty to two additional felony charges of possessing child pornography and using a minor for pornographic images, according to the San Luis Obispo Tribune.

From the newspaper: “It’s a very sad time for me,” he said at the start of the City Council meeting. “I hope that everyone will see I’m not quite the bad guy I’m painted to be in the press right now. Until that time, I don’t see how I could effectively serve the citizens.”

The City Council was set to discuss a proposed letter that would ask Arnold for his resignation since the Council can’t remove him unless he is recalled or misses all regular meetings within 60 days.

Arnold, who has served on the Council since 2004 and was re-elected to a four-year term in 2008, is due back in court for a pre-preliminary hearing on May 5.

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