EL CAJON, Calif. -- An El Cajon plumber accused of keeping poisonous snakes and assault weapons in his home pleaded not guilty Friday to felony firearm charges and 26 misdemeanor violations of Fish and Game codes.

Christopher Shawn Hendry Jr., 24, is accused of illegally possessing a baby alligator, two cobras, two rattlesnakes and 21 vipers purchased over the Internet, said Deputy District Attorney Jessica Schuster.

Police found the snakes in Hendry's garage and the alligator in his living room during a search.

Defense attorney Vikas Bajaj said Hendry collected the snakes as a hobby and kept them in locked cages.

But photos seized by police showed some of the snakes on the loose and ready to strike.

Hendry was originally charged with making a criminal threat against a man he found with his fiancee June 24, but that was dropped because the man declined to press charges. He is still charged with vandalism for allegedly breaking a window in a home where the man was staying.

He is also charged with two felony counts for allegedly possessing assault weapons and a silencer that police found during a search of his home.

The defendant, who is free on $50,000 bail, faces a maximum of four years in prison if convicted, Schuster said.

A readiness conference is set for Aug. 3 and a preliminary hearing for Aug. 21.