Man accused of hurling bottles at Splash House after-party pleads not guilty

PALM SPRINGS: Milad Thamer Youssef, a 35-year-old El Cajon man accused of hurling glass bottles during a fight at an after-hours party at the Palm Springs Air Museum, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to six felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon.

Prosecutors added sentence-enhancing great bodily injury allegations to each count. The incident unfolded at about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 9 during the Splash House music celebration at the museum on Gene Autry Trail, according to Palm Springs police.

Photo: Palm Springs Air Museum

Police say Youssef was in the middle of a fight that broke out at the poolside party when he allegedly grabbed glass bottles and threw them at partygoers. It was unclear whether he was aiming at anyone in particular, police said.

The charges are allegations that have not been proven in court. Youssef is free on a $180,000 bond and returns to court Nov. 13.

Six victims identified by initials

Court papers identified the alleged victims only by their initials: four women, listed as A.C., I.A., N.G. and S.P., and two men, A.P. and D.G. The victims were treated by paramedics on site or taken to Desert Regional Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Their injuries were generally described as minor and all stemming from contact with broken glass.

What happens next

Youssef was arraigned Tuesday before Riverside County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Tucker, who set a felony settlement conference for Nov. 13 at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. He remains free on a $180,000 bond.

Photo: Palm Springs Air Museum

Officers working security at the venue were summoned when the fight erupted, but Youssef had fled by the time they reached the scene, police said. He turned himself in to investigators five days later and was booked into jail. Court records show no documented prior felony convictions for him in Riverside County. The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.