A California man faces federal charges after he allegedly repeatedly fired a rifle at a police helicopter after his birthday party ended "acrimoniously."
Justin Derek Jennings, 39, is charged with attempting to damage, destroy or disable an aircraft.
Federal prosecutors with the Central District of California say Jennings and his family were celebrating his birthday party at his Laguna Niguel home on March 9. Jennings allegedly had been drinking and became enraged.
An indicted states that as his outburst escalated, family members left the home. Jennings then allegedly removed a rifle from his gun safe and fired an entire magazine worth of ammunition inside the home. The rest of Jennings' family fled and called police.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department responded with several deputies and a police helicopter flew around the area.
Jennings allegedly went upstairs and began shooting in the air when the helicopter was visible. He eventually surrendered.
Police seized six guns and ammunition from the home. Bullet casings were scattered throughout the floor and law enforcement also seized two magazines and a box of ammunition that was on a couch beneath the window from where Jennings allegedly fired.
Jennings was arraigned Monday in Santa Ana and pleaded not guilty. A federal magistrate judge ordered him jailed without bond and scheduled an August 5 trial.
If convicted, Jennings would face up to 20 years in federal prison.
The Orange County District Attorney's Office charged Jennings in connection with this incident, but dismissed the case so the federal case against him could proceed.
