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 August 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 October 5, 2024, traffic stop on the southbound 101 Freeway in Ventura. CHP officers

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