Watch CBS News

Novato Immigrant Pleads Guilty To Nunchuks Possession, Avoids Machete Assault Charge

NOVATO (CBS SF) - A Novato man accused of a machete assault had the charged dropped after agreeing to a deal in which he pleaded guilty to possession of nunchuks.

29-year-ol Sender Catzim is also being detained on a federal immigration hold pending investigation into his citizenship status.

Officers responded to reports of a fight involving a machete on Leafwood Drive July 21 that left a 22-year-old man with a head injury and a number of cuts on his arms, police said.

Catzim was identified as the suspect and arrested at his Novato home two days later. Police found a set of nunchaku, or nunchuks, a traditional Japanese weapon made of two sticks connected with a short chain or rope.

Possession of nunchuks is illegal in California and several other states, along with a number of countries.

Catzim faced assault with a deadly weapon charge for the alleged machete attack and possession of nunchuks, but the assault charge was dismissed in return for the guilty plea on nunchuks possession.

According to his public defender, there was doubt over which person actually possessed the machete during the fight.

Catzim, who remained in custody at the county jail, was expected to be sentenced in November.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.