On June 17, 2010 defendant Ernest Rodriguez, 38 of Cutler, was sentenced by the Honorable Judge Darryl Ferguson to eight years in state prison for conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon and gang-related enhancements, as well as being a felon in possession with a firearm and gang-related enhancements.

On the evening of May 29, 2009 in Cutler, the Rodriguez was in the backyard of a residence speaking with other gang members. During the conversation the Rodriguez retrieved a shotgun and gave it to another gang member, Miguel Espinoza. At about 9:45 p.m. Miguel Espinoza, the gang member who received the gun, approached a residence where people were playing basketball in the front yard. Co-defendant Espinoza took aim and fired one shot from a shotgun towards the four individuals in the front of the residence. Espinoza then returned the shotgun to Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a documented gang member and the shooting was gang-related.

Nobody was hit with the shotgun blast, but the garage door of the residence was hit and damaged.

Defendant Ernest Rodriguez pled no contest on March 16, 2010 to conspiracy to commit assault with a deadly weapon with special gang enhancements and to being a felon in possession of a firearm with a special allegation that it was for the benefit of a criminal street gang.

Co-defendant Miguel Espinoza was sentenced on April 20, 2010 to 29 years in state prison for his part in the case.

The case was investigated by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office Bureau of Investigations also assisted in the investigation.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Shani D. Jenkins, (559) 733-6411.