Defendant Sentenced for Charges Stemming from 3-Day Crime Spree

DATE: August 20, 2021

CASE: Eric Leyva (Case #19FE019758)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Monica Robinson, Domestic Violence Unit

The Honorable Scott Tedmon sentenced Eric Leyva to 14 years and 8 months to life in prison. On July 27, 2021, Leyva pled to charges including domestic violence, kidnap of a minor, kidnap for the purposes for carjacking and holding eight victims hostage.

The crimes are related to a three-day crime spree in Sacramento in October 2019.  Leyva committed multiple acts of domestic violence.  When the victim decided to leave the abusive relationship with her children, Leyva kidnapped her younger sister by use of threats and a weapon.  When the victim’s brother attempted to rescue his sister, Leyva threatened to kill them both if the brother did not drive Leyva to a safe location to evade law enforcement.  When law enforcement attempted to detain Leyva, a police pursuit ensued and ended in a cul-de-sac. Leyva then forced the victim’s sister out of the car with a weapon pointed at her back.  He proceeded to enter a home where a family of eight was living, including three children.  Leyva held the family hostage in their own home using a weapon and threats of violence.  After a lengthy standoff, all of the victims were able to safely exit the home and Leyva surrendered.