3 thieves get prison time under Prop 36 law change
'Thanks to the law Kern County voters supported, repeat offenders are facing real consequences,' District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a release. 'They're being held in prison, where they'll serve significant time for their crimes.'
Prop 36, which took effect in December, allows prosecutors to bring felony charges against suspects accused of petty theft who have at least two prior theft-related convictions. Previously, prosecutors were often limited to filing misdemeanor charges for the offense, with convictions resulting in at most a year in jail, according to the release.
Prosecutors described crimes that resulted in convictions against three repeat offenders who have since been sentenced:
On Jan. 2, Juventino Espinoza, who has 10 prior convictions for shoplifting and petty theft, stole items totaling $281.30 from the Target on Mall View Road. He entered an open plea — when a defendant admits to all charges in the hope the judge will give them less time than what they'd face if convicted at trial.
Because of a prior strike conviction for assault with a deadly weapon, Espinoza, 45, was given a lengthier sentence on May 15 of two years and eight months in prison. He also was ordered to pay restitution.
In December, Kristopher Devonte Howard, 38, stole a drink from the Go Mini Mart on Wilson Road, pushing and threatening to kill a store employee who approached him. He has six prior theft convictions.
Howard pleaded no contest to petty theft with two or more priors and admitted to a prior strike conviction. He was sentenced May 8 to four years in prison.
On Feb. 22, 2025, Adrian Ivan Samarripas was arrested in southwest Bakersfield after stealing a three-pack of beer from the Walgreens on White Lane. He pleaded no contest in March to petty theft with two or more priors, admitted to a prior strike and was immediately sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.
Samarripas has four prior theft convictions.
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