Martin Antonio Velasco appeared in Yuma County Justice Court Tuesday afternoon.

He is being formally charged with two counts of aggravated assault against a police officer, which are class three felonies.

The charges against him stem from an incident at a Yuma bar where he was involved in an altercation with bar security and pointed a 22. caliber handgun at a police officer.

He then faces a third charge of misconduct involving a deadly weapon, which is another felony offense.

Velasco is being held on $500,000 dollars bond, and based on his criminal history, which includes provisions that prohibit him from owning or carrying a firearm; state prosecutor William Katz believed this to be a fair amount.

“We are asking that the bond remain at five hundred thousand dollars,” said Katz. This case presents a 30 year old man who is a convicted felon who is pointing weapons at law enforcement in our community. This offense, as evidence would also show that knowing this man is a prohibited possessor and a convicted felon, five hundred thousand dollars is appropriate.”