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Hearing for O.C. deputy accused of pepper-spraying pizza is postponed

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A court hearing for an Orange County sheriff’s deputy accused of pepper-spraying a teenager’s pizza was postponed Monday, and his attorney said he’s still largely unfamiliar with the accusations.

The arraignment of Juan Tavera, a six-year veteran of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, was postponed until Aug. 23.

Tavera allegedly spotted the pizza in the back seat of the 19-year-old’s car during a Sept. 8 traffic stop in Laguna Hills and pepper-sprayed it without the youth’s knowledge, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.

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The teen and four friends later became sick after eating the pizza, authorities said. Tavera is charged with one misdemeanor count of assault or battery by a public officer.

If convicted, he faces a possible sentence of one year in jail.

John Barnett, Tavera’s lawyer, said Monday that “until I’m able to read the police reports about what happened, I can’t comment.”

Sheriff’s officials investigated the case before forwarding it to the Orange County district attorney for review.

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E-mail: anh.do@latimes.com
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