Man accused of sending ‘aggressive’ pit bull at East Palo Alto officers accepts plea deal

(KRON) — An East Palo Alto man who in July 2023 allegedly sent his “snarling” pit bull after police officers conducting a welfare check at his residence accepted a plea deal on Friday, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Antonio Dejesus Sotelolozano, 30, was drinking at his East Palo Alto home on July 22, 2023, and became intoxicated, according to prosecutors. The DA’s office said the man fell while in his “drunken state” and injured his face. His mother found him and called 911.

East Palo Alto Police Department officers arrived for a welfare check. Sotelolozano “screamed at them to get off his property,” prosecutors alleged, and called his “aggressive” pit bull named Raider to come to the side yard. Police warned Sotelolozano not to release the dog, however, the DA’s office said that he opened the side gate and Raider charged at the officers.

The officers fled off the property and fired twice at the pit bull. Raider was not struck in the shooting and ran away from police.

Sotelolozano was arrested and charged with two counts of assault on a peace officer, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of resisting arrest. Enhancements were applied to the assault charges over Sotelolozano’s five previous strike convictions.

On Friday, Sotelolozano accepted a deal from prosecutors and pleaded no contest to two counts of felony resisting a police officer by force and also admitted to one of the prior strike convictions. The condition of the plea is for up to five years and four months in state prison and a Romero motion consideration by the court and DA’s office.

The other charges were dismissed in the deal.

Sotelolozano’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 25.

​(KRON) — An East Palo Alto man who in July 2023 allegedly sent his “snarling” pit bull after police officers conducting a welfare check at his residence accepted a plea deal on Friday, the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office announced. Antonio Dejesus Sotelolozano, 30, was drinking at his East Palo Alto home on July […]