Flagstaff, California -- A California man has appeared in a Flagstaff, Arizona, court after a Friday incident at Grand Canyon National Park.

David Chimel is accused of punching, biting and screaming at visitors as he preached a religious message.

According to court documents, the 41-year-old Oceano, California, resident is accused of fighting with tourists Friday near the El Tovar (toh-VAR') Hotel in Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim.

An Assistant U-S Attorney says Chimel told a judge yesterday that it was the first time he physically confronted people to get them to listen to his message.

According to a police report, Chimel punched a visitor and was subdued by three others until police arrived.

While holding Chimel down, two visitors said they were bitten by him.