VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) - A man whose arrest by San Diego County sheriff’s deputies sparked controversy was ordered to stand trial Tuesday in a domestic violence case.
Gerardo Martinez Jr. and his father were arrested in early May after deputies responded to a domestic violence incident at a Vista home. Martinez Jr. was armed with a knife, according to deputies. Martinez Jr.’s ex-girlfriend had called 911 to report that he had become violent.
Five deputies took father and son into custody, but family members said the deputies used excessive force during the arrest. The family said both men were compliant and already in handcuffs.
RELATED: Deputies placed on administrative duty as investigation into arrest video continues
A neighbor captured the arrest on video, and after the footage went viral, the sheriff’s department announced two of the deputies were placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.
Body camera footage from the incident has not been made public, but the recordings may factor in the case against Martinez Jr.
At a preliminary hearing in a Vista courtroom Tuesday, Martinez Jr. was ordered to stand trial over the domestic violence incident. His bail was set at $50,000 and a July 30 trial date was set.
Prosecutors noted that Martinez Jr.’s former girlfriend had a protective order against him from a previous incident.
RELATED: Charges dropped for father in Vista arrest video
The charges against the defendant’s father were dropped.
Family members have not said if they plan to sue the sheriff’s department over the arrest.
