San Joaquin County deputies say a man once convicted in a brazen ambush on Stockton police officers is back behind bars, this time on a fresh stack of weapons allegations.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies arrested Steven Rodriguez on May 7 on multiple firearms-related counts, including possession of a short-barreled rifle, being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. Officials said Rodriguez had previously been convicted in connection with a 2017 ambush-style attack that targeted Stockton police officers and was sentenced to 20 years. He was released last November under California's compassionate-release process, a decision the sheriff's office now describes as a serious concern for community safety.
San Joaquin Sheriff's Update
In a Facebook Reel posted by the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office, deputies said Rodriguez was taken into custody following an investigation that led detectives to multiple weapons they believe are tied to the case. The post outlines the May 7 arrest and lists the weapons charges that are now being reviewed by local prosecutors.
"Releasing an individual who attempted to kill a peace officer is deeply concerning," the sheriff's office wrote in the Reel, adding that "the safety of our community is the office's number one priority." The agency did not release many additional specifics and said more details will be shared as the investigation moves forward.
Backstory: 2017 Ambush
Rodriguez's latest arrest is rooted in a turbulent stretch in June–July 2017 that the Stockton Police Department described as ambush shootings, when officers came under fire during traffic stops and a patrol car was hit by gunfire. As reported by KCRA, investigators ultimately linked multiple suspects to those attacks on officers.
Compassionate Release and Broader Context
Rodriguez's release in November 2025 came through California's compassionate-release procedures, which in recent years have been used more often for medically frail or elderly inmates. In its 2025 year-in-review, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation noted that grant rates for compassionate release were on the rise, a trend that has fueled ongoing debate about how to weigh public safety concerns against medical and humanitarian considerations. CDCR reported the increase.
Legal Status and Next Steps
The San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office says the case remains under active investigation and that the San Joaquin County District Attorney will make final charging decisions. Investigators are asking anyone with information to call the sheriff's tip line at (209) 468-4400 and say they plan to release further updates as the legal process plays out.
