MADERA - In the early morning hours of July 5, 2018, the California Highway Patrol received a call of a potential DUI driver in the area of Road 29 ½ and Ave. 8.

When CHP officers arrived, they found the defendant, Jose de Jesus Rodriguez Figueroa, seated in the driver’s seat of a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle given to CHP.

As officers approached, they saw the defendant take a drink from a can of beer. The officers also noticed that the hood of the car was hot, indicating that it had recently been driven.

During the investigation, the defendant repeatedly gave false and inconsistent statements regarding the vehicle, whether he had been driving, and whether he had been drinking. CHP officers concluded that the defendant was under the influence of alcohol.

A sample of the defendant’s blood was tested by the Department of Justice and showed the Defendant’s blood alcohol level to be more than twice the legal limit. The Madera County District Attorney’s Office charged the defendant with felony DUI as well as misdemeanor driving with a suspended license.

The DUI charge was a felony due to the defendant having three prior DUI convictions within the past 10 years. A jury trial was heard in this case beginning on February 25, 2020. At trial, the Defendant’s girlfriend testified and claimed that she had been the one driving the car.

The evidence in the case demonstrated that she was lying, and the jury found the defendant guilty of all charges. Sentencing is currently set for April 3, 2020.

The District Attorney’s Office thanks all of the witnesses who testified during the trial.