Convicted Felon Sentenced for Murder and Robbery in Northern California
A Lake County man is headed for a lengthy prison term after being convicted of murder, robbery, and firearm charges.
Jonathan Mota, 34, of Lake County, was found guilty of murder caused by a firearm; Hobbs Act robbery; and use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to that robbery.
The guilty verdict, delivered yesterday, followed a four-week jury trial before the Honorable Jon S. Tigar, U.S. District Judge. The crime occurred on January 18, 2013 at the Mount Konocti Gas & Mart in Kelseyville, California.
According to evidence presented at trial, Mota parked a stolen vehicle near the store and attempted to rob it while wearing a hoodie, ski mask, baggy jeans, and gloves to conceal his identity. When store clerk Forrest Seagrave attempted to intervene, Mota shot him in the neck, causing him to bleed to death on the floor.
Video footage from the store cameras showed Mota stepping over Seagrave’s body to grab the money from the cash register.
With the verdict, Mota has been convicted of all charges, including murder caused by a firearm, Hobbs Act robbery, and use and carry of a firearm during and in relation to that robbery. The maximum statutory penalty for the crimes is life imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.
Sentencing has been scheduled for October 28, 2016 before Judge Tigar. The prosecution is the result of an investigation led by the ATF and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Mota’s sentence may include a 10-year consecutive prison term for discharging the firearm during the robbery.
Related Federal Cases
- Jonathan Mota, Murder, California 2013 · Oregon
- Jonathan Mota, Attempted Officer Murder, California 2017 · California
- Paul Anthony Ciancia, Murder of a Federal Officer, California 2013 · Oregon
- Merced Cambero Jr., Hate-Motivated Murder, California 2000 · Florida
- Eddy Reyes, Kidnapping & Murder, California 2016 · Oregon
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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