Lake Isabella man jailed for brutal assault of woman


Published on Thursday, September 25, 2008 10:23 AM PDT

Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

On Friday, Sept. 19, James Wesley Powers, 59, of Lake Isabella, was arrested on four felony counts, including assault with a deadly weapon other than firearm or great bodily injury, battery with serious bodily injury, second degree burglary, and prevent/dissuade witness/victim.

Reportedly, an employee of CARZ in Lake Isabella, came to the business Friday evening and found Powers brutally beating a female inside the building. The employee immediately called 911.

Sheriff deputies arrived on scene and took Powers into custody, while the victim was taken to Kern Valley Hospital with serious injuries.

Powers is currently in custody at the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility awaiting a court hearing. Bail was set at $160,000.

Powers has a history of violence, according to Kern County Superior Court records. On Nov. 27, 1991, he pled guilty to the rape of his then-wife. At that hearing, three additional felony counts and two misdemeanor counts were dismissed, according to court records. He served 158 days in Wasco State Prison and paid a $100 fine, the records stated.

Comments

15 comment(s)

    Pro Bono wrote on Jun 4, 2009 8:38 PM:

    " It's very frustrating. Sometimes it seems that 'justice' is so far removed from the law. "

    amazed wrote on Jun 4, 2009 12:14 PM:

    " I have a friend who was charged with attempted murder, mayem, assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm, criminal threats, and corporal spouse(?). Get this is was shot during the fight with the ex-girlfriend. She was never arrested. Based on the evidence during the the trail is eaas convicted of mayem because she had a cut on the ear was shattered glass. This man has been in jail for over a year prior to his trail because the DA put on those charges and counts against him. He almost died and she is still free "

    Wont Say Name Due to Retaliation wrote on Dec 15, 2008 6:05 PM:

    " I am speaking as a friend of someone who was horribly beaten by James Powers and the Sherriff's didn't do a thing. They acted like it never happened and even the police report was falsified BY THE SHERIFF'S DEPT!! What's up with that? The Sheriff's dept is protecting this man! I can't believe he served 4% of his time after raping his ex wife! What does that say to all the rapist's out there? My friend is left with nothing but debt from him and a constant fear of retaliation. This leaves me discouraged with our Sheriff's Dept. "

    Probation 101 wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:12 PM:

    " James Powers is on Probation, A condition of probation is GAINFULLY EMPLOYED. Other condition is, James can not be around felons, etc. etc. etc. And the other condition is ANGER MANAGEMENT. If James has swindled extorted money from anyone, You as a person can seek a SMALL CLAIMS against him. If James doesn't list you on his BANKRUPTCY, His PROBATION OFFICER will be in charge of his debts, owing others, I see James being on PROBATION for a long time, Or moving out of the Valley, Stay STAY STRONG KERN VALLEY "

    battery deja vu wrote on Oct 30, 2008 12:33 PM:

    " This isn.t about "meth heads", welfare, ot the right to bare arms. This story is about a immature 59 year old boy who either gets his way or uses violence. This is about someone who continues to get off too easily at each violent turn. He has coerced and swindled his way into the lives of a very decent and sweet woman and her family. Does he appreciate this? No. He uses fear where a real man would use love and compassion. I pray his wife will use this time to break the cycle. "

    Makinghimmiserable wrote on Oct 30, 2008 11:25 AM:

    " I hear frustration and perhaps a sense of helplessness. This man seems to slip through the cracks of law and is clearly an unwanted dangerous pest to our community. Put up your "right to refuse service signs," and shut your doors to him. Don't put yourself in danger but make him and those supporting him feel unwelcomed. We can all do our part while still being lawful. We can stick our noses in the air and let everyone know we don't accept this type of behavior in our community. "

    A Citizen and Victim wrote on Oct 29, 2008 12:48 PM:

    " James Powers is a time bomb waiting to go off. He claims to be a minister and and scollar of the Bible. I do not believe that I have ever seen anything in the bible that teaches to cheat and beat and steal from your fellow man and neighbor. Their must be some sort of teaching from the devilthat he studies. This man is a threat to society and everyone he touches. I do believe that someone higher than you I will deal with him. "

    Bryce wrote on Oct 25, 2008 6:32 PM:

    " WAKE UP PEOPLE!!! Here is the problem with this story and every other criminal is this pitiful state....This man served 158 days, about 5 months of a 8 YEAR SENTENCE!!!!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!! Everyone needs to be calling the D.A., the Governor, your Represenative, Senator, etc...and DEMANDING TO KNOW WHY these monsters are serving LESS THAN 4% of their sentences for violent crimes.

    CALL THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DEMAND TO KNOW!!! IT ISNT JUST THIS CASE!!!!!!!! IT IS MOST CRIMINALS!!!!!

    Write to me and I will show you evidence!! skeemdagal@yahoo.com! "

    Cheri Horgan wrote on Oct 22, 2008 9:23 AM:

    " It takes a real "man" to beat women! All I read was crimes imposed upon WOMEN!!! How he could have any woman support him through this I will never understand. His wife needs to run as fast as she can and never look back! If I read right this is a reoccurring offense! "

    anna c wrote on Oct 22, 2008 8:48 AM:

    " For aka, who's brilliant, don't you know anything about these meth heads, they won't spend money on fire arms, they spend all their welfare check on drugs, and then stand in line for free food for their kids at the pantry....or breaking into our homes to steal something to sell, to yes, you guessed it, buy more drugs......do a little research before you show us all how ignorant you are...or are you standing in that line too???????? "

    aka wrote on Oct 21, 2008 11:00 AM:

    " how do we know that women was so sweet .she could have drove him to break .no just kidding .it sucks the punishment does not fit the crime.as for having the right to bare arms .that vally is to unstable .yeah lets give all the meth heads the right to carry arms .brilliant idea. "

    B WELSH wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:06 AM:

    " Please read Carefully,

    James was jailed on (3) Misdermeanors,

    The way our courts work, Is you Pled guilty to 1 and the other 2 are droped. He most likely will receive probation suspended sentence with victim restitution.

    If The Kern Valley PEOPLE VOICE/WRITE JUDGE QUINLIN, James has a good chance receiving some Jail time,or How about 3000 hr's of Community Service, cleaning up our valley/freeways

    Write JUDGE QUINLIN, DROP your letters off at the courts house, Mail them "

    Danielle C. wrote on Oct 15, 2008 2:58 PM:

    " Why does the system protect the guilty, instead of the innocent, this guy has been charged with battery on his spouse and now this lady, rape, child endangerment, if anything he needs to be beat down like he beat down that sweet lady. "

    anna c wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:28 PM:

    " If only we had the right to carry a loaded weopen in the state of california. This woman would not have had to suffer a beating at all and the perpetrator would be RIP, and our tax dollars could go to our schools instead of supporting creeps like him.....I would bet a dollar to a doughnut that crime rates would drop dramatically if we could vote this law in... "

    Concerned Citizen wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:17 AM:

    " This guy is a pig and thief he should remain behind bars, what gave him the right to beat an innocent woman. He has a record a mile long, how he gets away with his crimes. He owes everyone money, and is trying to file bankruptcy on his creditors’. He should have to pay everyone what he owes them. "

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