Defendant Sentenced for Assault at Homeless Camp

DATE: March 28, 2022

CASE: Jeffery Cross (Case #21FE009616)

PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Alexandra Sanders, Felony Trial Unit

The Honorable Shama Mesiwala sentenced Jeffery Cross to 25 years to life in prison.  On March 2, 2022, a jury convicted Cross of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury, criminal threats and intimidating a witness.  Allegations that Cross has prior strike convictions for involuntary manslaughter with the use of a firearm, criminal threats and first-degree burglary were also found true at sentencing.

On May 31, 2021, Citrus Heights police officers responded to a report of an assault at a homeless camp on Greenback Lane. One victim knew Cross and stated Cross kicked him, which may have caused him to lose consciousness.  Officers observed dried blood on the side of the victim’s head and a red mark in his rib area. A witness saw Cross punch and kick the victim multiple times. The witness told officers that Cross then also punched him in the face, causing him to fall backwards onto the ground.  In follow-up investigations, both victims identified Cross as the person who had assaulted them from a photo line-up. One of the victims also indicated that Cross threatened him, telling him to keep quiet.