Ex-Laguna Beach Police Officer's Trial Continued Until May

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The trial of an ex-Laguna Beach police officer accused of holding a gun to a fellow officer's head during a night of partying has been continued after a preliminary hearing this week.

Luke Christian Gilbertson—not present at the hearing—was granted a continuance until May 5, at the request of his Attorney Allen Castillo, according to a Santa Ana District Courts spokesperson.

Gilbertson, 35, also faces a sentence-enhancing allegation for the personal use of a firearm and faces up to 19 years in prison. He was free on $50,000 bail.

In late September, Gilbertson went out with three other Laguna Beach police officers and a police dispatcher to a pool and barbecue party, as well as two other places where alcoholic drinks were consumed, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

As the group drove home in the same vehicle from a Santa Ana bar, Gilbertson allegedly pulled out a gun and held it to the head of a fellow officer. One was injured during the incident, prosecutors say.

Patch has requested a comment from Gilbertson's attorney and will update this post when that is received.