A Santa Barbara man is facing felony charges after he allegedly attacked a California Highway Patrol officer who was arresting him for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced on Friday that Jesse Mendoza, 20, was charged with three felonies and four misdemeanors for the October 2024 attack.
It happened on Oct. 5, according to the DA’s release, when a CHP officer pulled Mendoza over for what was only described as a “vehicle code” violation.
The investigating officer discovered Mendoza was driving while intoxicated, so he handcuffed the then 19-year-old and put him in a CHP vehicle to transport him for his arrest.
“On the way to the California Highway Patrol Station for booking, the defendant escaped his handcuffs and attacked the driving officer,” detailed the DA’s office.
Officials did not reveal how Mendoza broke out of his handcuffs, and details about the attack and the officer’s health status were not immediately made available.
Mendoza, who was already a convicted felon at the time of this arrest, then ran from the officers after the attack – but he was eventually taken back into custody.
“Mendoza had been convicted of assault with a deadly weapon five months prior in Santa Barbara County,” noted the release.
The DA’s office said Mendoza now faces the following charges:
Charges:
- PC 245(c) – Assault upon a peace officer
- PC 664/203 – Attempted mayhem
- PC 243(c)(2) – Battery upon a peace officer
- PC 836.6(b) – Escape from arrest
- PC 148(a)(1) – Resist, obstruct, delay of peace officer
- VC 23152(a) – Diving while under the influence of any alcoholic beverage
- VC 23152(b) – Driving with a 0.08% or higher blood alcohol
Special Allegations:
- PC 667S2 – Prior strike 2
- PC 1170(h)(3) – Prior serious or violent felony
- PC 667(a)(1) – Serious felony prior
Mendoza is scheduled for an information arraignment on April 1 and remains in custody at the Ventura County Jail with bail set at $250,000.
