Santa Barbara man convicted of assaulting CHP officer

A Ventura County jury has convicted a 20-year-old Santa Barbara man of assaulting a California Highway Patrol officer during a DUI arrest, prosecutors announced.

According to Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, the jury convicted Jesse Andrew Mendoza on Aug. 15 of felony assault on a peace officer, in addition to assault, escape from arrest, resisting an officer and driving under the influence. 

A judge also upheld multiple prior strike allegations tied to earlier violent offenses, significantly increasing the potential penalty Mendoza now faces. With those enhancements, he could be sentenced to as many as 15 years in state prison when he returns to court next month.

The case stems from an Oct. 5, 2024, traffic stop on the southbound 101 Freeway in Ventura. CHP officers said they pulled Mendoza over after seeing him speeding and weaving through traffic. Mendoza reportedly showed signs of impairment and performed poorly on field sobriety tests, leading to his arrest.

But while being transported to the CHP station in Ventura, prosecutors said Mendoza slipped out of his handcuffs and attacked the officer driving the patrol car, clawing at the officer’s face and neck. The officer was forced to stop the vehicle in order to protect himself. Mendoza then bolted from the patrol car and fled on foot, before being chased down, restrained and carried back.

One officer sustained facial injuries during the attack but has since recovered. Patrol car video showed Mendoza manipulating his restraints before lunging at the officer, according to prosecutors.

At the time of the incident, Mendoza had already been convicted in Santa Barbara County for assault with a deadly weapon and personally inflicting great bodily injury just five months earlier.

Deputy District Attorney Jillian Ewan of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. In a statement, she said, “This case demonstrates how police officers are at risk in every circumstance and are subjected to unprovoked attacks. I am grateful to the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence and for delivering a just and thoughtful verdict.”

Mendoza remains in custody without bail. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 16 in Ventura County Superior Court.