Salinas City Councilman Jose Castañeda pleads not guilty in felony domestic violence case.

Update: At 11am Thursday, Jose Castaneda filed a sworn declaration at Monterey County Superior Court to attest he does not own or possess a firearm, and has not owned one for many years. On Sept. 15, during his felony arraignment on domestic violence charges, the court ordered he surrender his registered firearm.

City Councilman Jose Castañeda pleaded not guilty Sept. 15 to felony charges alleging he stalked, hit and used force to hold his ex-girlfriend in a van for several hours.

The case stems from a Sept. 4 incident alleged by his ex-girlfriend. The woman, whose name is not being released, claims Castañeda waited for her outside her home, then forced her into his van, locked the doors and drove away. The ordeal, she alleges, lasted hours.

Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin says she was not seriously injured, but had visible bruises when police interviewed her.

Castañeda and his attorney, Anthony Prince, call the accusations “fabricated.” Prince says the domestic violence case is part of a character assassination and smear campaign.

At a press conference following Castañeda’s court appearance, two men in suits and sunglasses recorded and observed the councilman and Prince. One of the men physically pushed Castañeda away from him after he apparently got too close.

McMillin confirmed one of the men is a Salinas police detective, there in case Castañeda blurted out something incriminating. The other man was District Attorney Investigator Peter Austin.

Due to the case, which includes allegations of violence, Judge Marla Anderson ordered Castañeda to turn over his registered firearm within 24 hours. He was also served a restraining order against Jane Doe and her son, who lives with her.

Castañeda is scheduled to be back in court on Oct. 6. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 8.