Judge frees retired DEA agent accused of assault, hit-and-run and concealing weapons

The LA County District Attorney's Office presented an eight-page report detailing evidence of an escalation in disturbing behavior by retired DEA agent James Young at his Oct. 9 hearing.

Prosecutors sought to hold Young without bail after officers became increasingly concerned about his erratic and sometimes violent reactions to certain situations, the DA's office filing said.

Young's troubling actions were part of a pattern that preceded Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station officers' response to reports of shots fired at his Saugus home near Decoro and Copper Hill drives, the filing said.

Officers who arrived at Young's home on Oct. 1 in response to a 911 call and fired shots found several “red flags,” according to the Oct. 9 motion seeking to hold Young until his Held without bail.

When prosecutors requested it, investigators presented Judge Bernie LaForteza with their evidence of a cache of weapons, erratic behavior and a report of physical violence against Young's wife, who had fled the home out of concern for the safety of her and their two children.

Young pleaded not guilty to six charges: possession of a sawed-off shotgun; three counts of unlawful possession of an offensive weapon; negligent weapons; and household battery. LaForteza requested Young's release that same day.

Search warrant

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station officials confirmed Friday that they served Young with the criminal protection order the next day when he arrived at his home immediately after his release from the SCV Sheriff's Station on Oct. 10.

The order states he must stay 100 feet from his home. According to court records, Young was served in court on Oct. 9; An official at the station said there was no valid order in place at the time of service.

Patrol officers had responded to a call at the same home a little more than a week earlier after neighbors reported shots fired at the home and Young's brother-in-law reported behavior from Young that was troubling him.

When officers responded to the home, they discovered a “disturbing” cache containing 15 firearms, including what were believed to be illegal assault weapons and a modified shotgun; 30,000 rounds; and DEA credentials altered to appear active despite his retirement; and inert smoke grenades, according to the DA's office.

Deputies were also disturbed by a video playing on a loop showing “a gang execution-style killing,” the filing said.

Previous concerns

According to prosecutors' files, the disturbing behavior began a little more than two years ago.

The incident that led to Young's departure from the DEA began as a “seemingly playful interaction at the DEA field office in Los Angeles,” according to court documents.

After a fellow soldier playfully wrapped his arms around Young, Young brandished his firearm and plunged it into his colleague's abdomen.

The colleague put the gun away and subdued Young before reporting the incident to Young's supervisor.

The victim was so shaken that she filed a report with the Los Angeles Police Department, according to a report on the incident. “Young then admitted his actions and expressed remorse, indicating that he had misjudged the situation, which ultimately raised serious concerns about his conduct and the appropriateness of his use of the firearm,” Jacqueline Redruello’s filing states , the deputy district attorney in charge of the case.

The day before the domestic violence allegation would cause Young's wife to move out with their children, Young is suspected of being involved in a traffic accident in the carpool lane on the northbound side of Interstate 405.

“In an alarming display of hostility, Young struck the victim’s vehicle twice with his own,” the filing says, which says he also brandished a handgun.

The victim in that incident was unable to positively identify Young in a row, but was able to describe the car and license plate of a vehicle that Young later admitted was in custody at the time of the incident, officials said.

Nearly two weeks later, a former DEA agent and friend of Young reported another incident: Young had apparently stated that he had obtained personal information about the California Highway Patrol officers investigating his alleged hit-and-run, including their home addresses.

The following week there were reports of shots fired at the home.

“As stated, Young poses an unacceptable threat to public safety and warrants detention without bail,” the prosecutor’s filing states. “In this case, the bail is $80,000. However, the egregious facts and circumstances of this case, including the defendant's increasingly erratic and violent behavior, his access to firearms, including illegal firearms, grenades, and his threats against public officials, make it necessary not to order bail to ensure public safety. “

Young remains released on his own recognizance pending a hearing in San Fernando on Tuesday.