Deputy Rape Allegations Won’t Be Used In Another Case

INDIO – Riverside County Public Defenders and the District Attorney’s office are fighting over the personnel files of a Sheriff’s deputy investigated for raping a teenaged girl.

News Channel 3 first broke news Friday of Deputy Christian Talavera. He’s now on paid administrative leave.

No formal criminal charges have been filed at this time against the deputy now under investigation for raping a teenaged girl.

However, these claims are now at the center of another rape trial Deputy Christian Talavera was set to testify in. Wednesday, a judge decided not to hand over any information about Deputy Talavera to the Public Defender’s office.

Deputy Christian Talavera has only been on the force for three years. But, he’s no longer on patrol. Sheriff’s officials confirm on August 21st, he was placed on administrative leave.

Sources close to the investigation tell News Channel 3 his alleged victim was a 17 year old girl.

These claims became public record when Public Defender Tom Steelman filed a court motion demanding Talavera’s personnel records. Now, Steelman is speaking out.

Deputy Talavera was set to testify in a separate rape trial. Emails obtained by News Channel 3 sent to every local Public Defender’s office claim Deputy District Attorney Kristy Belcher told Public Defender Steelman the DA’s office was withholding negative information about Deputy Talavera.

One key legal term here is “Brady material.” That comes from a U.S. Supreme Court case that says the prosecution must hand over any information about a police officer that calls their trustworthiness into question.

We asked Public Defender Steelman, “Does it surprise you that the DA’s office says there is no Brady material in this case?”

Stelman responded, “It does surprise me because Ms. Belcher is an experienced Deputy District Attorney. She’s an able advocate for their office. I’ve never known her to trivialize things or to jump to conclusions about things. She seems to be knowledgable about what Brady material is. She apparently looked at the material and deiced that it was in fact Brady material. So, as far as I’m concerned, I have the DA’s office saying they do posess Brady material on this particular case and I believe I’m entitled to that for the benefit of my defendant.”

When asked if he believes the DA’s office is withholding information from him, Steelman replied, “Yes, I do. That’s my personal belief. Of course, they have me at somewhat of a disadvantage. The reason why I have that personal belief is I know Ms. Belcher. And I know she’s a standup DA and that she would not advise me that she had Brady material if she did not feel that she does. I think I need to look at it. If I don’t need to look at it, at least the court needs to look at it.”

Wednesday in court, Judge Jorge Hernandez decided not to give over Talavera’s personnel file to the Public Defender’s office. He did allow the defense to refile their motion at a future date.

To be clear, Deputy Christian Talavera is on paid administrative leave – under investigation for claims he raped a 17 year old girl. He is not under arrest at this time, nor have any criminal charges been filed yet.

Stay with News Channel 3 and KESQ.com for more on this developing story.