A former Drug Enforcement Administration agent pleaded not guilty to allegations of assault, road rage and illegal firearms possession at his formal arraignment Monday at L.A. County Superior Court in San Fernando.
Judge David Walgren held James Young to answer to 11 charges in connection to allegations of brandishing a deadly weapon, assault, road rage and domestic violence, following Young’s preliminary hearing
During the preliminary hearing, Walgren heard from a DEA agent who said Young pulled a gun on him without provocation when the two worked together, a motorist who made a road-rage claim involving a gun, and Young’s spouse, who said she remembered nothing and then pleaded the Fifth Amendment on the stand when asked about a previous restraining order.
The prosecution also heard from Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station detectives who seized 15 firearms and “tens of thousands of rounds” from the Young family home in Saugus.
Walgren said testimony regarding Young’s mixing of cough syrup and wine, access to an arsenal and an allegation of domestic violence were enough to keep a restraining order active.
One of the first incidents discussed was an allegation from a former DEA agent Young worked with, who claimed that Young entered the Los Angeles office and berated him before pulling a handgun on him in the office.
Young’s attorney claimed that the alleged victim was applying a “naked choke hold” against Young from behind when Young, a former special agent with the Ventura Office, drew his firearm in self-defense because he had almost passed out. The special agent who approached Young from behind testified that was not true and Young was not about to pass out.
Court records indicate Young’s supervisor confiscated Young’s gun and badge as a result.
An allegation of a hit-and-run in the San Fernando Valley involved a motorist who said he cut off Young after being frustrated by his driving. The alleged victim said he pulled in front of Young and started driving 12 mph, even though traffic was going nearly twice that pace.
The motorist testified that Young bumped his car from behind twice and then threatened him with a handgun.
Young’s attorney also argued a motion seeking to deny the search warrant on his house that resulted in the discovery of the “arsenal,” which allegedly included an unregistered weapon, because there were no exigent circumstances.
Walgren found the search valid, after sheriff’s station officials testified they were serving a temporary restraining order as the result of a domestic violence report made against Young by his wife. A detective on the stand testified they had a duty to find and retrieve the firearms due to the report.
At a preliminary hearing, the judge hears the prosecution’s case, any affirmative defense, and then determines whether there’s enough potential evidence to prove guilt at a trial.
