LAKEPORT >> Jesse Rolando Banda, 27 of Clearlake entered a plea of not guilty for an August incident that left one man wounded and a vehicle off the road.
Banda appeared with Defense Attorney Edward Savin at the Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport. He is charged with Assault with Firearm on Person, Robbery, Convicted Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Person Prohibited in Possession of Ammunition, Transportation/Sale of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana For Sale.
He responded not guilty to all charges.
Banda was arrested in August when deputies from Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a traffic accident call. A pickup truck was off the shoulder of the road at Spruce Grove near Cantwell Ranch, Lower Lake. Witnesses said firearms were involved.
Deputies arrived at the scene, locating a male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. The victim directed the deputies at the scene to the truck, which had plummeted down the embankment.
Deputies spotted Banda crawling out of the vehicle that had landed down the embankment, and they reportedly noticed a metallic object in Banda’s hand.
Banda was handcuffed and taken into custody as investigators located a handgun in the brush near the spot Banda had surrendered. They also found 19 pounds of processed marijuana in the vehicle Banda had apparently been driving.
Judge Stephen Hedstrom presided over the Appearance of Counsel/Plea Entry Hearing with Deputy District Attorney Alan Upton present in court as well.
This matter is set for Master Calendar Call on Oct. 14 at 8:15 a.m. in Department Three with the Preliminary Examination set on Oct. 19 at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced. The defendant is ordered to be present on all dates.
The Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit is continuing the investigation into this incident and anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Richard Kreutzer at 707-262-4233.
