Opinion ID: 6333813
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Search for Hughes

Text: The facts preceding Hughes’s apprehension by law enforcement are largely uncontested. Hughes pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a loaded firearm with a large 6 HUGHES V. RODRIGUEZ capacity magazine, a misdemeanor offense. While serving his 185-day sentence in the San Joaquin County jail, Hughes was assigned to a highway work crew. On November 27, 2017, just ten days into his sentence, Hughes jumped over a fence while on the work crew and escaped the custody of San Joaquin County. Hughes was on the lam for more than three weeks. During this time, the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office joined forces with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Fugitive Apprehension Team in the search for Hughes. Agent Chris Rodriguez of the Fugitive Apprehension Team led the investigation into Hughes’s whereabouts. During his investigation, Agent Chris Rodriguez learned the following facts about Hughes: (1) Hughes had prior convictions for possession of a stolen vehicle, weapons possession, and evading a peace officer with disregard for safety, (2) Hughes was affiliated with a violent street gang, (3) Hughes had training in mixed martial arts, and (4) Hughes was possibly under the influence of methamphetamine. These facts led Agent Chris Rodriguez to conclude that Hughes posed a danger to the public and the arresting team. On December 21, 2017, law enforcement learned from the mother of Hughes’s children that Hughes might be hiding at the home of his friend, Hal Ward, at 9041 Don Avenue, Stockton. At 10:30 AM that morning, Agent Chris Rodriguez and Agent Harvey Casillas, also of the Fugitive Apprehension Team, went to Ward’s home, knocked on the door, and received no response. Shortly thereafter, Ward exited the home and informed Agent Chris Rodriguez and Agent Casillas that Hughes was inside. Ward gave Agent Casillas his keys and granted permission to enter the home. HUGHES V. RODRIGUEZ 7 Agent Chris Rodriguez contacted members of the Stockton Police Department to participate in the extraction of Hughes from the home. Officer Michael Rodriguez and Officer Robert Molthen arrived at 9041 Don Avenue. Officer Michael Rodriguez was accompanied by Cain, a trained police dog. The Stockton Police Department and the San Joaquin County Sherriff’s Department created a perimeter around the neighborhood and requested fly-over air support from the California Highway Patrol. Officers used a loudspeaker to urge Hughes to exit the home. When this effort was unsuccessful, the Stockton Police Department assembled an entry team consisting of Agent Chris Rodriguez, Agent Casillas, Officer Michael Rodriguez, and Cain. The team gathered in the home’s front entryway.