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Arraignment Postponed For OC Deputy Accused Of Pepper Spraying Teen's Pizza During Traffic Stop

NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Arraignment was postponed Monday for an Orange County Sheriff's deputy accused of pepper spraying a teenager's pizza during a routine traffic stop.

Juan Tavera, 30, will now be arraigned Aug. 23 on one misdemeanor count of assault or battery by a public officer.

The alleged incident occurred in Sept. 2012 when Tavera reportedly responded to a traffic stop to assist a fellow deputy.

According to court documents, Tavera found a pizza on the backseat of the teen's car and pepper sprayed it without the boy's knowledge.

"John Doe later returned to his home and shared the pizza with four friends, causing all five to experience discomfort as a result of ingesting pepper spray. John Doe notified OCSD after becoming suspicious of his earlier interaction with the deputy," the OC District Attorney's Office said.

Tavera has been placed on paid administrative leave.

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

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