Sheriff's deputy pleads not guilty to four felonies
A San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy accused of handcuffing a tow-truck driver and holding him at gunpoint in Riverside County pleaded not guilty this morning to four felony charges.
Richard Heverly, 41, of La Verne, did not appear at the Indio Superior Court hearing. His attorney, Michael Schwartz entered the not-guilty pleas on his behalf.
Prosecutors say Heverly was off-duty when he came across a traffic accident Aug. 10 on the 10 Freeway about 50 miles east of Indio.
A big rig had caught fire, and a tow-truck driver positioned his truck on the freeway to block off lanes near the accident.
When Heverly came across the accident, he flashed his sheriff's deputy badge, then handcuffed the tow-truck driver and held a gun to his head, according to prosecutors.
Heverly was placed on paid administrative leave by the sheriff's department on Aug. 18. He remains on administrative leave, department spokeswoman Cindy Beavers said today.
He was hired by the department in 2006, and worked in the transportation division at West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
Heverly was arrested Aug. 18 and charged with four felonies: Assault with a semi-automatic firearm, assault by public officer, criminal threats of death or great bodily injury, and false imprisonment. All four charges carry sentencing enhancements for use of a firearm.
He was released the day of his arrest after posting $150,000 bail.
A settlement conference was scheduled today for Nov. 19, and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Dec. 9.
Judge Dale Wells also ordered Heverly to appear in person for the future hearings, according to online court records.
Schwartz did not immediately return a call seeking comment this afternoon.
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