Tulare Third Striker Sentenced to Life in Prison, Prop 57 May Intervene
On January 24, 2024, in Department 17 of the South County Justice Center, Luis Nuno, age 38, was sentenced to 56 years-to-life in prison for the third strike offense of threatening to kill people while armed with a knife. However, Proposition 57 may reduce that sentence significantly.
On March 6, 2023, Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a store in Pixley. Upon contacting the two victims, deputies learned that Nuno approached them as they were walking in and asked why they were following him. The victims told him they were not. Nuno pulled out a knife and profanely threatened to stab them. The victims took safety in the store and contacted law enforcement. Nuno was arrested soon after with the knife in his pocket.
At trial in early November 2023, Nuno was found guilty in a court trial of two counts of felony criminal threats with the special allegations that he used a weapon, threatened great bodily harm with a deadly weapon, possessed prior serious convictions, and possessed prior strikes. In addition, Nuno was also found guilty of theft in a separate case for stealing apparel and an Apple tablet from a Tulare gym in August of 2021.
In addition to a lengthy criminal record throughout California, Utah, and Arizona, Nuno possesses prior strikes for burglary in 2013 and 2014 in Tulare County.
Under existing California law, criminal threats (PC 422) is not considered a “violent” felony, thus, Proposition 57 will classify the defendant as a “non-violent” inmate. Upon completion of his incarceration on count 1 (3 years), the defendant may be eligible for early release.
TCDA prosecutors routinely appear on hundreds of early release motions from inmates serving prison sentences.
“This case is a classic example of the fraud Proposition 57 created by eliminating truth in sentencing,” said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. “To categorize crimes such as criminal threats and domestic violence as “nonviolent” is an affront to crime victims across the state. Every day, my prosecutors fight for justice in our courtrooms, yet their hard work which resulted in this “life” sentence is utterly undermined by Proposition 57. Victims and their families deserve to have truth in sentencing in California.”
The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney David Doyle.
Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare Communications Director Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494