Trial set for former H.B. officer

A trial has been scheduled April 20 for a former Huntington Beach police officer charged with 19 felonies, including raping and sodomizing his ex-wife and alleged mistress.

James Roberts was fired from the Police Department following an internal investigation. He is accused of false imprisonment by violence or deceit, criminal threats, domestic battery, aggravated assault and dissuading a witness.

Roberts faces a maximum sentence of more than 20 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

His wife, whose name is being withheld because she’s a possible rape victim, filed a lawsuit against the Police Department on behalf of her and her son, claiming the department covered for Roberts and wouldn’t respond to calls she made when she was under threat by him.

—Mona Shadia

Twitter: @MonaShadia