Sonora, California – Tuolumne County District Attorney Laura Krieg announced today that Groveland resident Joshua Power was sentenced to 33 years and 4 months in State Prison on Monday, April 10, 2017 by the Honorable Judge Donald Segerstrom. In sentencing Power, Judge Segerstrom stated that the defendant was “incredibly violent and dangerous to society and everyone around him.” “The People are pleased justice was served, and such a violent individual who posed a particular danger to women will not be able to terrorize Groveland or Tuolumne County for a long time,” stated Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Novelli who prosecuted the case for the People.
Mr. Power was convicted by a jury on February 15, 2017 before Judge Donald Segerstrom of eight felony counts and one misdemeanor after a 4 day jury trial. The crimes included: kidnapping, corporal injury to a spouse, residential first degree robbery, residential first degree person present burglary, two counts of false imprisonment by violence, criminal threats, resisting a peace officer, and corporal injury to a person with whom the defendant had or previously had a dating relationship. The defendant has a prior strike conviction for battery causing serious bodily injury; therefore, under California three strikes law, his exposure in this case was doubled. Further, because he was convicted of a “violent” offense under California Penal Code 667.5(c), he should serve 85% of the 33 years and 4 months sentence, as the California Legislature grants 15% conduct credit for “violent” offenders.
All guilty verdicts were derived from events which occurred on 3 separate days. On January 18, 2016, Mr. Power forced a friend to drive him to where his estranged wife was staying by threatening him while holding a box cutter. When Mr. Power arrived at the house, he assaulted, restrained and threatened the victim with a box cutter. Mr. Power later fled the scene. On January 26, 2016, a multi-agency apprehension team was successfully apprehended Mr. Power but only after he resisted arrest, fighting with a K9. Mr. Power was charged with multiple charges for the events that occurred on January 18th and 26th; however, he bailed out of custody. While out on bail, on November 5, 2016, Mr. Power assaulted another woman. The victim ran down the road where concerned citizens assisted her and called 911.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Novelli – Phone: (209) 588-5450
