The man that was arrested for firing on vehicles with a shotgun on River Road east of Ripon over a period of several months will spend the next 15 years behind bars.

Javier Rivera, a 41-year-old Riverbank resident, was taken into custody in February of 2021 after months of vehicles along River Road were being struck with gunfire – including one right next to the gas tank.

Rivera was in possession of a pistol-sized, 12-gauge, break-action shotgun, a pump shotgun without a stock, ammunition, pepper spray, illegal narcotics and drug paraphernalia when he was taken into custody.

According to the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office, Rivera pled guilty last week and will in exchange receive a 15-year prison sentence for the crime.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Alexander Henry.

On the day that Rivera was taken into custody, three vehicles on River Road were struck by gunfire. Two of the drivers were able to notice a white sedan in the area in which their vehicles were struck. Crime analysts at the sheriff’s office were able to find the driver of that vehicle based on previous contacts with similar models in the area.

Rivera was described as having an “extensive” criminal past at the time and had extensive run-ins with the sheriff’s office.

With the assistance of the Riverbank Police, Rivera was taken into custody in Riverbank where the vehicle was located. The sheriff’s office said at the time that he admitted to the shootings. He was subsequently charged with attempted murder, being a felon in possession of a firearm, shooting at occupied vehicles, and drug charges.

All the victims in the crime were, according to the sheriff’s office, chosen at random.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.