Prosecutors charged Francis Pusok, the man sheriff’s deputies are accused of beating in the desert, with 11 felony and three misdemeanor counts in Victorville Superior Court yesterday. He was charged with evading arrest, vandalism over $400, stealing a horse, animal cruelty, being a felon in possession of ammunition, and three counts of auto theft. Pusok, 30, and his girlfriend, Jolene Bindner, 31, were both charged with three felony counts of receiving stolen property. He also faces misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest, being under the influence of drugs and reckless driving. April 9, Pusok was captured on video by an NBC helicopter news crew as he appeared to be beaten by County sheriff’s deputies following a three-hour pursuit. Ten involved deputies have been placed on paid leave and the FBI is investigating. Less than two weeks after the beating, Pusok agreed to a $650,000 out-of-court settlement with San Bernardino County officials.
