Live Oak man pleads not guilty to gun charges

SANTA CRUZ >> A 35-year-old Live Oak man pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to charges accusing him of brandishing a pellet gun at both police and a Santa Cruz resident.

Early Saturday morning, two police officers responding to a resident's report that a man had come onto her property and pointed a gun at her, ending up firing their gun at Jaynes, 35. Neither Jaynes nor the officers were injured in the shooting, Santa Cruz Police Department authorities said.

Jaynes is facing charges of felony criminal threats, two counts of brandishing a replica gun — at the resident and an officer — and misdemeanor prowling.

The Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office also is investigating the conduct of the two officers who fired at Jaynes.

During his arraignment Wednesday, Jaynes admitted through his attorney to struggling with serious drug abuse issues. His attorney said Jaynes' family, who appeared in court in his support, was willing to house him while they sought entry for him in a private treatment program.

Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Syda Cogliati, however, agreed with prosecutor Pamela Dunlap's recommendation that Jaynes remain held at the Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail, prior to transfer to a program.

“This is a super dangerous case where he points a gun at a woman and he threatens to shoot her,” said Dunlap, a Santa Cruz County assistant district attorney. “He's lucky to be alive.”

Defense attorney Ryan Perreault commented that a toy gun was involved and that he believed it would be easier for Jaynes to gain entry to a program if he were not in jail.

Jaynes is scheduled to return to court next on Feb. 16.