City of Ione Police Department

05/08/2026

Weekly Log 4/26 - 5/2

04/29/2026

Weekly log 4/19 - 4/25

04/22/2026

Weekly Log 4/12 - 4/18

04/21/2026

04/20/2026

Today, District Attorney Todd Riebe announced that Joseph James Stephens-Jenkins, 36, of Ione, pled 'guilty' to the murder of Lori Owens, and the attempted murders of Shane Billows and George Orozco, all of Ione. Mr. Stephens-Jenkins will be sentenced to a term of Life Without the Possibility of Parole, and should never be eligible for release under any circumstances.

The victims and the family of Ms. Owens, all of whom were present at the January preliminary hearing in the matter, have conferenced with the District Attorney's Office regarding this plea and were present in court to support each other and witness the concluding steps of this horrific nightmare.

As part of the plea agreement, the defendant admitted two special circumstances to the murder of Ms. Owens — that the murder was intentional and involved the infliction of torture; and that it was also for the purpose of committing a separate felony, burglary. He will also waive all rights to appeal this plea and his sentence.

On October 30, 2023, the defendant, who had prior prison commitments and a violent history, went on a rampage in the City of Ione, attacking and stabbing Mr. Billows and Mr. Orozco with a knife in the Shakely Lane area. From those attacks, the defendant broke into Ms. Owens' home, stabbing her repeatedly over minutes, killing her. The defendant was apprehended in a nearby backyard.

District Attorney Riebe said, "This murderer should never be released from prison, and should be held within walls until the end of his days. In accepting this outcome, the victims and their families now have the certainty that they will never have to endure a lengthy trial, reliving the nightmares. They are spared the ordeal of further litigation, and the unknown prospects of decades of appeals. This is done, and it is done for the better. The defendant will be forgotten. But Lori's memory, plus the lives of Shane and George, will go on."

Sentencing will occur on May 12th before the Hon. Judge Renee C. Day, where the victims and family members will deliver impact statements in open court, putting their unspeakable loss into words.

04/15/2026

Weekly Log 4/5 - 4-11

04/08/2026

Weekly Log 3/29 - 4/4

04/03/2026

Weekly Log 3/22 - 3/28

03/27/2026

Weekly Log 3/15 - 3/21

03/20/2026

Weekly Log 3/8 - 3/14

03/12/2026

Weekly Log 3/1 - 3/7