GREENFIELD — Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced April 18 that a jury convicted 21-year-old Greenfield resident Jonathan Rojas of first-degree murder.
On Dec. 31, 2020, around 6:51 p.m., Greenfield police responded to a shooting on Heidi Drive. Officers approached the victim’s car idling in the driveway and saw multiple bullet holes in the driver’s window. They found the victim, Ricardo Gonzalez, dead inside with corresponding gunshot wounds.
During the investigation, law enforcement executed an early morning search warrant at Rojas’ house, arrested him and seized his cell phone that had been hastily discarded in a toilet. The cell phone was undamaged and contained evidence of his involvement in the murder, including location data showing him near the crime scene when the victim was killed.
Law enforcement also seized Rojas’ shoes, which were consistent with shoe impressions documented where witnesses saw the suspect fleeing.
The jury also considered evidence of Rojas’ involvement with the Norteno criminal street gang, his derogatory statement following his arrest about the victim and whose murder had been authorized by the gang.
The jury convicted Rojas of first-degree murder and shooting at an occupied motor vehicle, and also found it true that he used a firearm in the commission of those offenses.
Judge Rafael Vazquez will sentence Rojas on May 27. He faces up to life in state prison.
