Public Safety
Man, 37, Pleads Guilty to DHS Armed Carjacking, Sentenced to 16 Years Prison
INDIO (CNS) – A 37-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday to perpetrating an armed carjacking of a motorist in Desert Hot Springs with two others and was immediately sentenced to 16 years in state prison.
Johnny Artis, 37, of Desert Hot Springs pleaded guilty Thursday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio to one felony count each of kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, according to court records. He additionally admitted to sentence-enhancing firearm allegations.
Artis was immediately sentenced to 16 years in state prison, according to court records.
Co-defendants Christian Salas and Stephanie Dierkes, both 30 and of Desert Hot Springs, pleaded guilty earlier this year to the same charges and admitted to a sentence-enhancing allegation of carrying out a crime for the benefit of a gang, according to court records. Salas pleaded guilty Feb. 1 and was immediately sentenced to six years in state prison while Dierkes pleaded guilty March 6 and was immediately sentenced to 13 years in state prison.
The armed carjacking occurred at around 5 a.m. May 3, 2018 in the 66800 block of Ironwood Drive.
“Officers contacted the victim who was not injured, but told officers he was robbed at gunpoint by several suspects,” Desert Hot Springs detective Sgt. Christopher Saucier said in a statement. “The suspects were armed with firearms and took the victim’s vehicle and other valuables.”
Several people of interest were tracked down to a nearby residence where several people tried to flee on foot, but were subsequently detained, according to Saucier. Investigators then served search warrants at several locations, made arrests and seized firearms.
The searches were conducted with assistance from the Post-Release Accountability Team and the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force.
Copyright 2023, City News Service, Inc.
By: Pristine Villarreal
June 1, 2023
Latest Instagram Posts
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What’s your favorite NFL team?
A major cleanup is underway after powerful waves damaged 14 beachfront homes near Capistrano Beach in Orange County. Residents are concerned their homes could remain vulnerable without protective measures in place. Crews are clearing debris, while efforts to bring in protective boulders were delayed by high tide. #California #OrangeCounty #CapistranoBeach #CoastalWaves #Beachfront #WeatherNews
Two new Girl Scout cookies are coming in 2027 🍪 Meet Sparkables: a crunchy oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles, developed with Partake in a facility designed to avoid the nine major food allergens. And for the pups: Patch Pals 🐾 Soft-baked, blueberry muffin-flavored dog cookies in four adorable designs. Both will be available online beginning in January. Which one are you most excited to try? #GirlScouts #GirlScoutCookies #NewCookies #DogTreats #FoodAllergyFriendly #CookieSeason
It’s more than just dancing — it’s fitness, confidence and community. A Coachella Valley dance studio is helping adults move their bodies, have fun and step into their power, one class at a time. And during Beyoncé’s birthday week, the energy was turned all the way up. “When in doubt, twerk it out.” See how VXN Worldwide Dance Company is getting the Valley moving — and building confidence along the way. Read more at NBCPalmSprings.com. #CoachellaValley #PalmSprings #Dance #Fitness #Community NBCPalmSprings
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What are you going to be for Halloween? 🎃
Labor Day traffic is picking up in Palm Springs. If you’re heading out, our Maria Noble Valdez has what you can expect on the roads here. Be sure to stay tuned with NBC Palm Springs and nbcpalmsprings.com for more Labor Day coverage #LaborDay #LaborDayTraffic #PalmSprings #TrafficUpdate #i10