Former officer to face trial in February

The trial of a former Huntington Beach police officer accused of sexual assault, false imprisonment by violence or deceit, criminal threats and domestic battery, among other charges, was continued to Feb. 1.

James Roberts’ attorney, John Barnett, is in the middle of another trial.

Roberts faces 19 felonies and was fired by the Huntington Beach Police Department after an internal investigation.

His ex-wife, whose name is being withheld because she’s a possible rape victim, is accusing the police department of covering for Roberts in a civil lawsuit she filed on her and her young son’s behalf.

—Mona Shadia

Twitter: @MonaShadia