LAKEPORT — A judge Thursday assigned a courtroom for next week”s hearing on a defense motion for a change of venue in the case against former Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) deputy Derik Dion Navarro.
Navarro, 40, faces 16 felony counts for alleged sexual acts involving a minor, reportedly a female babysitter, more than five years ago.
He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The case has met many continuances since originating in April 2007. The delays mainly related to changes of attorneys on both sides.
A trial was set to begin in early December, but Navarro agreed to a plea bargain on the morning of jury selection.
The agreement called for the former deputy to plead guilty to one count of unlawful intercourse with a person younger than 16 in exchange for as many as four months in jail, probation and no sex-offender registration.
However, Judge Andrew S. Blum rejected the agreed upon sentence in early January. Navarro withdrew his guilty plea as a result of the judge”s decision.
Defense counsel Mitchell Hauptman subsequently said he would pursue a motion for a change of venue.
Navarro appeared in Blum”s courtroom at the Lake County Courthouse Thursday morning for scheduling.
Blum set the hearing on the change of venue motion to occur Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. in Department 3.
