Friday, December 20, 2024

Jury convicts Ukiah man for $17K worth of vandalism

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The following is a press release issued by the Mendocino County District Attorney:


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[Stock photo by Matt LaFever]

A Mendocino County Superior Court jury returned from its deliberations Thursday to announce it had found the trial defendant guilty as charged.

Defendant Jesus Anthony Herrera, age 41, of Ukiah, was convicted of three felony counts of vandalism causing $400 or more each, the use of a splitting maul in one of the three felonies, and a misdemeanor count of aggravated trespass.

In March 2023, the defendant vandalized a Volvo SUV and a GMC pickup truck parked near East Gobbi Street by jumping on their respective roofs, causing approximately $17,000 in combined damage.

Nearby was parked a Lincoln MKZ. Using a flashlight multi-tool, the defendant broke a rear window, causing over $680 in damage. He climbed into the vehicle through the broken window and was found by the police sitting in the Lincoln’s driver’s seat just before he was arrested.

In March 2024, the defendant used a splitting maul to vandalize the front door of a residence in Willits, causing over $1,000 in damage.

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He separately forced his way into a second residence and was arrested at that location for the vandalism of the door at the first residence and trespassing at the second residence.

After the jury was excused, a follow-on court hearing was scheduled for October 31st. The purpose of that hearing is to resolve the defense motion that seeks to strike the defendant’s prior Mendocino County Strike conviction from 2012 for felony criminal threats.

At the October 31st hearing, the prosecutor will also present evidence to prove up allegations that circumstances in aggravation exist in the facts of each crime and the defendant’s prior record, circumstances that need to be proven or admitted as mandated by Supreme Court precedent and the California Rules of Court.

The law enforcement agencies that identified necessary witnesses and obtained important evidence that was used at trial are the Ukiah Police Department and the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

The prosecutor who presented the People’s evidence at trial was Deputy District Attorney Jamie Pearl.

Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Victoria Shanahan presided over the four-day trial.

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4 COMMENTS

  1. California’s justice system is a fucking joke! Look around Mendo. Vote YES on 36. It’s not a perfect solution but it’s the best we have right now.

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  2. IMO: Mendocino County is very fortunate to have the quality of local law enforcement that tackles these types of problems in our community. We have way better law enforcement quality than many more populated areas. … My Two Cents

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MendoFever Staff
MendoFever Staff
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