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Settlement Hearing Set For Accused 'Naked' Officer

INDIO (CBS) — A felony settlement conference is scheduled for Friday against a fired Cathedral City police officer accused of stripping off his uniform during a call, the prosecutor said.

Discussions have been held between the Riverside County District Attorney's Office and the attorney for John Fox Jr. since the case's last court date in January, "but nothing has happened yet," Deputy District Attorney Tricia Fransdal said and a plea agreement is not expected.

Defense attorney Susanne Cho has said Fox is "overcharged," which is why she sought the delay of a preliminary hearing so the case can be re-evaluated. Prosecutors say Fox stripped down and jumped into a pool naked while answering a noise complaint at a home in September.

"Mr. Fox did not do what is alleged in the complaint," Cho said.

Fox, 37, who was fired by the department in November, is also charged with of assault under the color of authority and attempted digital penetration -- both felonies -- and misdemeanor indecent exposure and sexual battery counts.

While in the pool, Fox allegedly inappropriately touched one of two women, according to a Riverside County District Attorney's Office public information officer.

The owner of the home, who was not swimming, called 911 to report the naked officer, he said. Fox put his clothes back on and left before other officers arrived, according to the public information officer.

 (©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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