Latest news with #Rokaitis
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
Modesto man sentenced to 180 years to life for attempted murder of officer
( — A Modesto man has been sentenced to prison for the premeditated attempted murder of a police officer. According to Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero, Jesse Brooks, 45, from Modesto, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Robert Westbrook to 180 years to life in prison. The sentence follows Brooks' conviction by jury on Feb. 5 of three counts of premeditated attempted murder of a police officer, three counts of assault with a firearm and felon in possession of a gun and ammunition, said SCDA. He also had several related allegations, including a gun enhancement that alleged Brooks discharged a firearm that caused serious injury to a police officer. SCDA said this sentencing is related to crimes that were committed by Brooks on August 14, 2021, in Modesto. On this date, police officers executed a search warrant at a home on Orangeburg Road and discovered Brooks to be inside the home. Suspect arrested for stealing package from Vallejo business SCDA said that Brooks stated that he would not go back to prison and would shoot it out with the police. When the officers were able to get into the home, Brooks armed himself with a firearm, barricaded himself in a room, and fired 12 rounds at the officers. During the gun battle, Modesto Police Officer Michael Rokaitis was shot in the abdomen and the upper part of his bulletproof vest, said SDCA. MPD officers then returned fire and struck Brooks several times. SDCA said both the officer and the suspect were transported to a local hospital to be treated for their wounds. On Friday, during the hearing, SDCA stated in a press release that Officer Rokaitis gave a powerful victim impact statement and spoke directly to the suspect about how he almost lost his life and how the experience has affected him and his family. SCDA said that during the statement, Rokaitis forgave Brooks. Officials stated that Rokaitis nearly died from his gunshot wound and faced years of surgery and rehabilitation to recover. He received the law enforcement Medal of Honor for his actions in this incident. D.A. Laugero, who attended the sentencing hearing, stated, 'The sentencing of Brooks for nearly killing Officer Rokaitis is a powerful affirmation that we will not tolerate violence against our front-line protectors and our justice system stands firmly behind those who risk their lives to keep our community safe. While no sentence can completely heal the deep physical and emotional scars inflicted by such a violent encounter, this conviction and prison sentence serve as an important reminder that our community values and defends its law enforcement officers.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Yahoo
Modesto man faces 180 years for shooting and injuring officer in 2021
A Modesto man convicted of shooting and injuring a police officer during a 2021 standoff was sentenced to 180 years to life in prison, according to the Stanislaus County District Attorney's Office. A jury found Jesse Brooks, 45, guilty on Feb. 5 of three counts of premeditated attempted murder of a police officer, three counts of assault with a firearm on a police officer and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, along with several sentencing enhancements, including that Brooks discharged a firearm causing serious injury to a police officer, according to a press release posted on the DA's office Facebook page. The charges stem from an Aug. 14, 2021, incident on Orangeburg Avenue in Modesto, where police officers were executing a search warrant at a residence. Brooks was allegedly inside the home and threatened to shoot it out with officers rather than return to prison. When police entered, Brooks barricaded himself in a room, armed himself and fired 12 rounds at officers. During the gunfire exchange, Officer Michael Rokaitis was shot in the abdomen and in the upper part of his bulletproof vest. Officers returned fire, striking Brooks multiple times. Both Rokaitis and Brooks were hospitalized following the shooting. At Brooks' sentencing hearing on April 25, Rokaitis delivered a victim impact statement, recounting the life-threatening injuries he suffered and the toll the shooting took on his family. Since the shooting, Rokaitis has undergone seven surgeries, including one to have part of his right leg amputated. Speaking directly to Brooks, Rokaitis said he forgave him. Rokaitis received the law enforcement Medal of Honor for his actions during the incident. 'The sentencing of Brooks for nearly killing Rokaitis is a powerful affirmation that we will not tolerate violence against our front-line protectors and our justice system stands firmly behind those who risk their lives to keep our community safe,' District Attorney Jeff Laugero stated in the press release. 'While no sentence can completely heal the deep physical and emotional scars inflicted by such a violent encounter, this conviction and prison sentence serves as an important reminder that our community values and defends its law enforcement officers.' The Stanislaus County District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation and the Modesto Police Department conducted the investigation.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Modesto man faces multiple life sentences for shootout that critically injured police officer
A jury convicted a 45-year-old Modesto man of three counts of attempted murder of police officers and other charges connected with a 2021 shootout that seriously injured a Modesto police officer. Jesse Brooks, who has a previous conviction for a serious felony, could face multiple life sentences. Brooks was also convicted of three counts of assault with a firearm on a police officer, being a felon in possession of a firearm and a gun enhancement for causing serious injury to a police officer. The shooting occurred Aug. 14, 2021, when Modesto police officers served a search warrant at an Orangeburg Avenue address. According to facts in the case, Brooks was inside the dwelling and said he would not return to prison but would shoot it out with the officers. Brooks, who armed himself with a gun, was barricaded in a room. He fired a dozen rounds at officers. Officer Michael Rokaitis suffered a gunshot would in the abdomen and was struck on the upper portion of his bulletproof vest. As officers returned fire, Brooks was struck by several rounds. Both Rokaitis and Brooks were taken to the hospital. Rokaitis was treated for critical injuries and almost died. One of his legs was amputated because of the severity of his injuries. The officer later was awarded the law enforcement Medal of Honor for his actions. Rokaitis, who underwent surgeries and learned to use a prosthetic leg, returned to duty in 2022 about 16 months after the shooting. 'Violence against police officers is an attack on the rule of law and public safety,' Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero said in a news release. 'Our community will not tolerate such violence, and I have zero tolerance for such acts and will ensure that those who commit such acts are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.' The conviction could result in sentences totaling 155 years in prison for Brooks. A sentencing date has not been set.
