A Victorville judge had determined Francis Jared Pusok must stand trial on 12 felony and 2 misdemeanor counts related to his April 9 arrest and beating last year that was captured by a television news crew. (Main Photo By KNBC Channel 4/Booking Photo)
By G. T. Houts
Victorville, CA – San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Victor Stull has ruled that Francis Jared Pusok, 31, must stand trial on 12 felony and 2 misdemeanor charges related to his arrest on April 9 of last year near Hesperia. That arrest was captured on video by a KNBC Channel 4 chopper and also led to charges against three sheriff’s deputies for felony assault by a peace officer.
Pusok appeared in Victorville Superior Court March 15 and, at the conclusion of the hearing, Judge Stull ordered Pusok to face trial on those charges and an unrelated assault charge after he allegedly punched a man during a confrontation outside an Apple Valley residence in October.
THE HEARING
The hearing — which lasted just under two hours — included testimony by a host of deputies and investigators .
Pusok’s girlfriend/fiancee — Jolene Rhonda Ruth Bindner — also faces charges for being in receipt of stolen property.
Victorville Superior Court (Contributed Photo)
Both Pusok and Bindner — who have entered not guilty pleas — will next appear in court on Friday, March 18, at 8:32 a.m. in Department 10, according to court records.
Pusok — who has been in custody at the Adelanto Detention Center since October 29 — is being held on $600,000 bail.
THREE DEPUTIES CHARGED
Three San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies charged with felony assault by a peace officer during the arrest last year of Pusok entered not guilty pleas February 22 before San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Katrina West.
Deputies Michael Phelps, 30, (Twin Peaks), Nick Downey, 33, (Victor Valley) and Charles Foster, 34, (Hesperia) will next appear in court on Wednesday, April 13.
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