Arthur Samaro had been released early from State prison because of Proposition 57
(Woodland, CA) – April 26, 2019 – On April 25, 2019, a Yolo County Jury convicted 38-year-old Woodland resident, Arthur F. Samaro, of felony evading a police officer and five misdemeanors related to resisting arrest, driving under the influence, possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia.
On December 27, 2018, Mr. Samaro was driving on I-5 when California Highway Patrol officers observed his car going 96 mph. Officers attempted to make a traffic stop. Mr. Samaro failed to stop and for approximately eight miles led officers on a dangerous pursuit which reached speeds of 130 MPH. Mr. Samaro eventually went in to the community streets of Woodland.
The jury heard evidence that Mr. Samaro drove with an absolute disregard for human life. At one point he drove in the opposite lane of traffic to get around another car. Eventually, Mr. Samaro pulled into his driveway and then failed to listen to the commands of officers and ran in to the house. Woodland Police Department officers responded with a K9 dog and assisted CHP in to the house to apprehend Mr. Samaro. Mr. Samaro was later found to be in possession of methamphetamine and a smoking pipe and his blood alcohol concentration level was 0.14.
Mr. Samaro’s conviction comes after he was released early from State Prison on April 2, 2018, by the Board of Parole Hearings. In 2014, he was convicted of domestic violence in Yolo County and sentenced to nine years in State Prison. His sentence was enhanced because of a prior serious conviction of Assault Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury related to criminal street gang activity as well as a prior prison term for a separate domestic violence conviction.
In January of 2018, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office vigorously opposed Mr. Samaro’s early release based on his prior history, the absolute fear and torment he inflicted on his victims, and the danger he posed to the community; however, the Board of Parole Hearings approved Mr. Samaro for early release citing his extensive programming including substance abuse treatment. Mr. Samaro was released to be supervised on Post Release Community Supervision. Less than 2 months after being released on Supervision, Mr. Samaro failed to report to Probation and a warrant was issued for his arrest. In October of 2018, Mr. Samaro was convicted of resisting a police officer who was attempting to arrest him on that warrant. Mr. Samaro was then again released on Community Supervision until he committed the evasion in December of 2018.
Judge David Rosenberg is scheduled to sentence Samaro on June 28, 2019. Samaro is facing seven years in State Prison.
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