An 18-year-old Coachella resident made his first court appearance Thursday on a felony charge of threatening to harm members of his family.
Damian Ortiz pleaded not guilty to a felony count of criminal threats of death or great bodily injury at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, according to case records.
The defendant is due back in court for a felony settlement conference on April 22.
Deputies from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s Thermal station responded to a “family disturbance” in the 50000 block of Paseo Cadiz shortly after 3 p.m. Monday, according to the department.
They identified Ortiz as the suspect, at which point they unsuccessfully attempted to contact him, the department said.
Ortiz initially refused to exit the residence, but surrendered without incident after the sheriff’s Crisis Negation Team was called upon, according to authorities. Inmate records indicate he was booked into the Benoit Detention Center in Indio later that evening.
Deputies also said a search warrant led to the discovery of firearms, ammunition and airsoft pistols at the residence.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with relevant information was encouraged to contact Deputy Rocha at the Thermal station at 760-863-8990.