Gilroy resident Joel Gaeta and attorney request extra time
before entering plea
San Martin – One of the four men accused of beating up three California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control agents at Happy Dog Pizza in February delayed entering a plea Tuesday afternoon.
Gilroy resident Joel Gaeta, 24, appeared in San Martin court with his attorney, requesting additional time before entering a plea.
Gaeta, as well as Gilroy residents George Castro, 26, Juan Perez, 21, and Hollister resident Gilbert Garcia, 28, were arrested on suspicion of attacking three ABC investigators in the early morning hours of Feb. 11.
Gaeta is charged with assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of battery of a police officer, deterring a police officer, and inciting a riot.
As of press time it was unclear whether the District Attorney’s office will file charges against Castro, Perez, and Garcia.
ABC officials are currently wrapping up an investigation to determine whether Happy Dog will face penalties for the incident where three undercover agents were attacked while conducting a sweep of area bars.
Gaeta yelled “undercover in the house,” into the microphone upon the arrival of the agents, according to police. He then attempted to choke one of the male investigators who had detained two underage females, police said.
Castro, Perez and Garcia jumped in after that, grabbing one female agent and pinning her against a wall and attacking the other two investigators, police said.
Gaeta is scheduled to appear back in court May 12.
