A 25-year-old man made a first appearance in court Monday on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, possession of drug paraphernalia, and criminal use of a weapon.

Korey Byard of 216 North Park Drive was arrested just before 3 a-m Sunday after an altercation at a home in the 4000 Block of East G.

Sheriff officials say they were dispatched to that location on the report of someone threatening people with a 9 mm handgun. Deputies were able to stop the vehicle that Byard was in and he was placed under arrest. He allegedly admitted having a handgun in the vehicle. It was located inside a gray and orange backpack. But, deputies also located a open can of beer, and a jar containing a green leafy substance in a distribution amount. Numerous Ziploc Coin Baggies, a digital scale, several pipes typically used for smoking pot, a grinder and papers used for personal use of pot.

Byard was advised of his Miranda rights then asked for an attorney. His brother told the deputy the backpack was his brothers.

Byard in court stated that both he and his brother were threatened with a gun as they tried to leave the residence, and he only pulled the gun because he was afraid they might be shot and killed. He told Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen that the gun was not loaded. McEwen told him that the affidavit from law enforcement tells a different story and left the bond where it is, at 50-thousand dollars.

Byard will be back in court on Wednesday for a status hearing.