A former Merced County Sheriff’s sergeant accused of using excessive force will have to wait until 2026 for his day in court because his attorney was recently appointed as a judge.

Elizabeth Wilson

The Merced FOCUS

Former Sgt. Dustin Witt appeared in court Nov. 17 and was ordered to return in January.

Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira charged Witt with two counts of felony assault stemming from a March 2023 incident involving a driver who was allegedly under the influence.

Witt pleaded not guilty to the charges.

It’s at least the 1oth time the preliminary hearing has been continued in the past two years due to witnesses’ unavailability and the need to gather more evidence.

Now, the preliminary hearing was delayed again as Witt finds a new defense attorney. Roger Wilson

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