Worland man faces multiple weapons-related charges

WORLAND – A 22-year-old Worland man will appear before in Fifth Judicial District Circuit Court today in on two counts of unlawfully threatening to use a drawn, deadly weapon on another person, and one count of unlawful removal by force. A preliminary hearing in the case of the state of Wyoming versus Noel Andres Zavala is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

According to an affidavit provided by the court, on Aug. 14 at approximately 1:09 a.m., officers were called to Sage Crossing apartments, due to a report of a man threatening people with a gun, including a minor child.

Upon arrival, officers took Zavala into custody and found an unloaded semi-automatic pistol on his person. A brief search of the apartment resulted in the finding of a loaded pistol magazine and dropped bullets in the hallway.

According to an interview with victim Veronica Gomez, Zavala had been drinking, and after an argument, Zavala allegedly brandished a pistol and threatened to kill Gomez’s “boyfriend.” Allegedly, Zavala began pushing Gomez and woke up Gomez’s baby.

Trying to get the baby back to bed, Gomez claims she was shoved to the ground several times, before Zavala reportedly threatened to kill himself, and took the baby into the bathroom and locked the door.

According to witness Andrew Hagen Gomez, Zavala allegedly strangled Veronica Gomez while allegedly threatening at least two people in the apartment with the gun, pointed directly at their head and chest.

Zavala is currently being held on $100,000 cash bond. Each count of unlawfully threatening to use a drawn, deadly weapon on another person, a felony, is punishable by imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of $10,000, or both. The one count of unlawful removal by force (of a minor), also a felony, is punishable by imprisonment for up to 20 years and a fine of up to $10,000, or both.