BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A man accused of causing damage at a convenience store and fighting with employees was found guilty of misdemeanor assault charges instead of the felony assault counts he'd faced, according to the Public Defender's Office. He was also convicted of felony vandalism. Steven Yanez, 31, faces a maximum of six years in prison at his sentencing next month. He'd faced more than 17 years if convicted as charged. The jury reached its verdict Tuesday, acquitting Yanez of assault with a deadly weapon other than a gun and resisting arrest, and finding him guilty of the reduced assault counts and the vandalism charge. "We're very grateful the jury carefully considered the evidence and recognized that Mr. Yanez's actions didn't justify the serious felony charges brought against him," Deputy Public Defender Julius Cruz said in a release. Around noon on April 7, 2021, police were called to Fontana Liquor & Market on Niles Street to a report of an angry, drunken man who had damaged a plastic barrier around a cash register -- the incident took place when COVID protocols were in effect -- then started fighting store employees. Police said the man, identified as Yanez, resisted arrest and tried to kick officers. At trial, Cruz argued the employees started the altercation by hitting Yanez with a stick, according to the release. He presented video evidence and witness testimony indicating Yanez waited for police to arrive so he could explain his side. "The footage corroborated that Yanez raised his hands and complied with officers' initial instructions," according to the release. "However, Yanez struggled due to the painful positioning during the arrest, resulting in visible injuries, including cuts to his wrist, knee and forearm."