Plea deal taken by man accused of spraying irritants on deputies, K-9

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A 23-year-old man accused of twice spraying irritants to escape arrest has accepted a plea deal.

Christian Dumas on Monday pleaded no contest to two counts of using tear gas on a peace officer — admitting a prior strike on one of the counts — plus a count of willfully harming a peace officer’s dog, said District Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Daniela Gonzaga.

Dumas previously pleaded no contest in a separate case to vehicle theft and recklessly evading a peace officer.

Gonzaga said he faces 10 years in prison at his sentencing next month.

On Sept. 2, Dumas was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by deputies on Olive Tree Court. When told he had warrants out for his arrest, Dumas pepper-sprayed a deputy and ran, according to court documents.

Another deputy gave chase, firing when Dumas pointed an object at her, but the shots missed and he managed to get away, documents said.

Five days later, deputies received a tip Dumas was near the Wienerschnitzel at North Chester Avenue and Roberts Lane.

A deputy confronted him on East Moneta Avenue and Dumas ran into a backyard.

Another deputy — with a K-9 named Duke in his vehicle — drove to an alley west of the home and saw Dumas jump a fence into the alley, according to the documents.

Dumas sprayed bear mace in the deputy’s face and continued to run as the deputy released Duke, documents said.

Dumas turned and sprayed Duke, according to the documents, but the dog bit him and held on until deputies got him in handcuffs. Dumas had warrants out for his arrest for grand theft auto and resisting arrest.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.