Ex-Deputy Accused of Assaulting Tom's Farms Security Guard, 71, Must Stand Trial

A former Riverside County sheriff's deputy accused of assaulting a 71-year-old security guard during a confrontation at a Corona farmers' market must stand trial on a battery charge, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Reggie Frank Willia Alcantar, 32, was charged last May with the felony count, as well as sentence-enhancing allegations of elder abuse and using a weapon in the commission of a felony.

Following a preliminary hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Superior Court Judge Michael Donner found there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial. Donner set a May 13 post-prelim arraignment date.

Alcantar remains free on $65,000 bail.

The defendant, who was assigned to jail duty at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside between 2006 and early 2013, no longer works for the sheriff's department, though it was unclear whether he was fired or resigned. According to a sheriff's statement, Alcantar "separated" from the agency last September.

According to sheriff's officials, Alcantar was shopping the afternoon of April 20, 2013, at Tom's Farms, in the 23900 block of Temescal Canyon Road, when he got into an argument with a security guard, identified only as "James."

Authorities did not disclose what precipitated the confrontation between the men.

According to a declaration filed in support of an arrest warrant, James followed Alcantar and members of his family into the parking lot of Tom's Farms while attempting to get information.

"The victim said during the altercation, he simulated having a weapon by placing his hand into his pocket, but this was before and not during the assault," according to the declaration.

Alcantar later told investigators that the guard was "rude and aggressive," the document states.

"Reggie said the security guard kept exposing a black object from inside his pocket," according to the the affidavit. "Reggie pushed the security guard to the ground after the guard walked aggressively toward him, his vehicle and his family."

The 71-year-old man fell on his wrist, snapping it. He went to Riverside Community Hospital for treatment and was fitted with a cast.

He was unable to identify Alcantar. However, the defendant returned to the location to file a complaint against the business over what transpired, and based on that information, detectives were able to identify him, according to sheriff's officials.

– City News Service.