Jamie James Pleads Guilty to All Felony Counts for the Assault of a Rochester Police Officer

Rochester, NY- On Monday, August 26, 2024, 27-year-old Jamie James pled guilty to the indictment charging him with four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, Assault in the 2nd Degree, two counts of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree. These charges stem from the defendants violent assault of a Rochester Police Officer.

On September 25, 2023, a Rochester Police Officer responded to gunshots in the area of Seventh Street in the City of Rochester. While traveling to the scene, he encountered a vehicle with its lights turned off fleeing the area. After ignoring commands from the police officer, Jamie James, the driver of the vehicle, crashed into a pole on Hemple Street, before fleeing the vehicle on foot. A Rochester Police Officer pursued the defendant into a backyard, where Jamie James physically assaulted him by punching the officer and attempting to steal his police issued firearm. The Rochester Police Officer detained the defendant, who was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital. The Rochester Police Officer also was hospitalized for trauma to his upper body.

After a detailed investigation, Rochester Police Officers recovered two loaded handguns and narcotics from the scene. Jamie James will be sentenced as a Second Violent Felony Offender. 

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robin Catalano, Chief of the Special Investigations Bureau.

I must start with commending the actions of the Rochester Police Officer who was able to apprehend Jamie James while placing his own life at risk, and his fellow officers who came to his aid, said Assistant District Attorney Robin Catalano. The Rochester Police Department led a thorough and fair investigation, which ultimately resulted in today plea by Jamie James. I am thrilled that the officer who was assaulted during this altercation recovered from his injuries and escaped this altercation without permanent damage. Jamie James clearly had the intention of stealing this Officer weapon to continue breaking the law.

I am pleased that Jamie James is willing to admit to his violent actions last September, said Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley. This defendant recklessly shot illegally possessed firearms and led a Rochester Police Officer on a foot chase, before physically assaulting him. This Police Officer was protecting his community that night and to this day serves the citizens of Rochester, even after this assault. Thank you to this officer, and the entire Rochester Police Department for ridding our community of two more illegal guns. The New York State Department of Corrections is the best place for this defendant.

Jamie James will be sentenced on November 6, 2024, in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice Schiano. The court offered a sentence of 15 years in the New York State Department of Corrections plus 5 years of post-release supervision on the plea to the indictment.