Danville Man Pleads Not Guilty To Charges Of Resisting Arrest, Avoiding Screening At LAX

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A Danville man accused of pushing through security at Los Angeles International Airport made his first court appearance Friday.

Appearing for his arraignment at the Los Angeles County Superior Court Airport Branch, Christian James Heinz pleaded not guilty to one felony count of resisting arrest and a misdemeanor charge of avoiding screening.

The 21-year-old man is accused of failing to stop at a screening area in Terminal 6 Wednesday and being uncooperative with agents with the Transportation Security Administration and airport police, authorities said.

At the time of the alleged incident, Heinz was a ticketed passenger.

Police said Heinz was taken into custody after officers followed him to Gate 66.

"He was arrested after being subdued by a Taser when he refused repeated calls to stop," the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

Bail for Heinz was set at $25,000. He is due back in court June 19.

Heinz is expected to undergo a psychological evaluation. Depending on the outcome, a prosecutor says, he may be allowed to plead to lesser charges.

The charges he faces could carry a maximum sentence of 3 ½ years in prison if convicted.