Photo: noose in question
BERKELEY — No one should mess with nooses in Berkeley. A man was arrested for allegedly hanging a noose at the Berkeley Marina. The suspect remains in custody in lieu of $10,000 bond, pending a court hearing on October 29.
Jaime Robledo-Espino, 32 of Richmond, faces misdemeanor terrorism charges. When he was arrested, he was found in possession of drug paraphernalia, but subsequently not charged for that offense.
On the morning of October 8, a Berkeley city employee saw a man fashioning rope into a noose. This incident occurred at the marina near the South Cove Parking Lot and Public Dock.
The employee confronted the suspect regarding his actions. Nevertheless, the man proceeded to hang the noose on a tree branch, about 7 feet high, overlooking San Francisco Bay.
The city employee was able to photograph the man, before he fled from the area, and then phoned police. Responding officers investigating the incident were provided a copy of the photo.
Shortly thereafter, officers located the suspect later identified as Robledo-Espino, walking away from the marina. He was detained and arrested on University Avenue at 9:15 a.m.
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office subsequently charged Robledo- Espino with PC 11411(a) Terrorism: Noose.
Hanging a noose, a symbol representing a threat to life, is considered an act of terrorism in California.
If convicted, Robledo-Espino could be sentenced up to one year in county jail, or a fine not to exceed $5,000.
