Felony Assault Charge Dropped Against Cheyenne Teen

The state has dropped a felony aggravated assault charge against a Cheyenne teen accused of threatening his stepmother with a knife.

Eighteen-year-old Jared Barnes plead not guilty to a lesser charge of reckless endangering during his preliminary hearing in Laramie County Circuit Court Wednesday afternoon.

Barnes was arrested on April 17 after he allegedly pulled a pocket knife on his stepmother.

Barnes' attorney asked Judge Denise Nau to reduce his client's $3,000 cash bond to a signature bond so that Barnes could go back to his parent's house.

"His parents are the victims," said Nau. "I don't care what (their) position is, I'm not going to allow him to go back to the Happy Jack address."

A scheduling conference in Barnes' case has been set for May 11 at 4 p.m.