A former Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent, James Young, is facing serious new charges after a road rage incident in 2024. Young, 53, was already in trouble for stockpiling illegal weapons and domestic violence. Now, he has been charged with five counts of assault with a firearm, brandishing a weapon, and causing a hit-and-run accident.
The charges relate to two separate incidents. The first occurred in 2022 at the DEA’s Los Angeles field office, where Young allegedly jabbed his loaded service weapon into the abdomen of a fellow agent. This incident reportedly ended his law enforcement career. The second incident took place on the 405 Freeway in September 2023, where Young was accused of bumping another car and pointing a gun at the other driver.
According to court records, after the freeway incident, Young made threats to a former co-worker regarding California Highway Patrol officers involved in the case. He allegedly learned their home addresses, which raised further concerns about his behavior. His attorney, Jeff Voll, has denied these allegations.
Young’s previous troubles began last year when he was accused of choking his estranged wife and using a wrestling hold on her. A search of his home revealed a shocking cache of weapons, including 30,000 rounds of ammunition, several grenades, and 15 firearms, some of which were illegal to own. He was also found with modified DEA credentials that made it seem like he was still an active federal agent.
Despite the severity of the charges, Young was released on his own recognizance last October, which prosecutors opposed due to his possession of a dangerous arsenal. A judge allowed him to remain free but required him to wear an electronic monitor. Recently, prosecutors filed additional charges and requested a bail amount of $235,000, but a judge again decided to keep Young out of custody while he awaits trial.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, expressed strong concerns about Young’s actions, calling them a threat to public safety and a betrayal of trust. A preliminary hearing is expected to take place in the summer, as the case continues to unfold.