DATE: February 18, 2025

CASE: Ronald Eugene James (Case #19FE021761 & 19FE014992)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Kelly Clark, Adult Sexual Assault Prosecution Unit

On February 14, 2025, Ronald Eugene James was sentenced to an aggregate sentence of 15 years and 4 months to life in prison.

In case #19FE021761, the Honorable Donald Currier sentenced Ronald Eugene James to 13 years to life in prison.  On October 31, 2024, a jury convicted James of assault to commit rape/sodomy/oral copulation and kidnapping to commit another crime.  On July 13, 2019, the victim was driving to work when she began to run out of gas and pulled off the road. When the victim got out of her car, James pulled over and told her to get in the car.  The victim believed James was a friend of hers and got into his car. Almost immediately, she realized James was not her friend and tried to get out of his car.  James then grabbed her and sped off, running stop signs and stoplights before getting onto the freeway.  During this time, he was playing pornography on his video dashboard and forced her to touch him.  James eventually pulled over on the freeway and the victim was able to jump out of the car and flee. James was located and identified as the suspect through many investigative efforts by the Sacramento Police Department.

In case #19FE014992, the Honorable Steve White sentenced Ronald Eugene James to 2 years and 4 months in prison.  On September 18, 2024, a different jury convicted James of hit and run with death or injury and driving under the influence causing injury. The jury also found true a great bodily injury allegation.  On August 19, 2019, the victim was driving when James ran a red light at almost 50 mph and struck the passenger side of her vehicle. The victim was bleeding from her ears, suffered seven broken ribs and a left pneumothorax. When James got out of his SUV, the victim told him she was hurt and asked him to call for help. James told her he did not have a cell phone. He then retrieved his cell phone from his vehicle and fled the scene. James was later located at his house and appeared under the influence of drugs. His urine and blood test revealed cocaine and cocaine metabolite in his system.