An Orange County man faces federal charges after reportedly opening fire on a sheriff's department helicopter, the incident following the sour end of his birthday celebration. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California, Justin Derek Jennings, 39, of Laguna Niguel, is accused of attempting to damage, destroy, or disable an aircraft.
After pleading not guilty, Jennings, found himself ordered to remain in jail without bond by a federal magistrate judge. Served with bullets scattered throughout the floor of his home, law enforcement seized an arsenal including two revolvers, two handguns, and two rifles. The trial is set for August 5, as stated by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California. Meanwhile, the family that left his home after an outbreak has seen Justin descend from a festive spirit into one marred by rage and alleged violence.
The events unfolded on March 9, after Jennings’ birthday celebration took a turn. Having consumed alcohol, Jennings reportedly became so angered that his family left his residence. He is said to have then fired a rifle's worth of ammunition inside the house, and as reported, continued to shoot from a second-story window at a sheriff’s helicopter circling above. The helicopter drew Jennings' fire intermittently over 20 minutes before he eventually surrendered to authorities.
In the wake of this precarious scene, deputies and the FBI, who are leading the investigation, found the house littered with ammunition and firearms, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California. Charged initially by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Jennings saw his case dismissed in favor of federal prosecution – a decision permitting a relentless pursuit of justice, as detailed by Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin J. Campbell, who is handling the case.
