NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Man Pleads Innocent to Endangering Son
A North Hollywood man who carried several loaded guns and who allegedly threatened to kill his estranged wife’s mother has pleaded not guilty to child-endangerment and weapons charges.
Michael Akira John, 34, was arrested last Saturday after he allegedly brandished a pistol at three of his wife’s friends when they came to the couple’s home to move her belongings to a battered women’s shelter, Los Angeles City Atty. Jim Hahn said.
Authorities said John then telephoned his mother-in-law and threatened to kill her.
He was arrested later that day while driving in his pickup truck with several loaded guns--and with his 10-year-old son.
On Tuesday, he pleaded innocent to one charge of endangering a child, which carries a possible one-year jail term and a $1,000 fine.
He also pleaded innocent to three counts each of brandishing a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle. Each of those charges is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
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