An Anaheim resident linked to a spree of BB gun shootings on Southern California freeways in 2021 pleaded guilty on Monday, Aug. 8, to three felony charges and was sentenced to 10 years in state prison.

Jesse Leal Rodriguez, 35, who had steadfastly maintained his innocence in a jailhouse interview with the Southern California News Group, admitted to three counts of assault with a deadly weapon in Riverside County Superior Court in a plea deal with the District Attorney’s Office.

Those three counts were tied to one in Norco on a surface street, and two on the 91 Freeway in Riverside.

He had been charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault on a person likely to cause great bodily injury and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury.

In April and May of 2021, the windows of about 100 vehicles were damaged, mostly on the 91 Freeway in Corona, Riverside, Anaheim and Cerritos. No serious injury was reported.

Although Rodriguez was charged in only three shootings, authorities said in court documents that they believed he was responsible for at least seven others.

The DA’s Office declined to comment on any crimes on which it did not file charges. A message was left with a California Highway Patrol spokesman seeking comment.

This story is developing. Please check back for updates.

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