URGENT UPDATE: A federal judge has just jailed Maurice Herron, a 27-year-old man from Oakland, after he allegedly concealed a pistol in the back of an Orinda police vehicle, where it remained undetected for over a week. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis Westmore issued the detention order last week, citing serious concerns about Herron’s actions and criminal history.
In a previous case, Judge Westmore had released Herron, believing he was making strides to turn his life around. However, new evidence presented by federal prosecutors revealed a starkly different reality, prompting Westmore to check 12 out of 20 possible reasons to detain him during this pending federal case.
Court records detail that Herron is involved in two separate federal gun cases. One case stems from his arrest in January 2025 for possessing a firearm, while the other involves an incident from November 2024, when he was apprehended by an Orinda officer. According to reports, during this arrest, Herron allegedly removed a gun from his waistband while handcuffed in the back of the police car and stashed it on the floor.
The firearm was discovered by another officer eleven days later, leading to a review of surveillance footage that captured Herron’s alleged actions. This shocking revelation has raised urgent questions about police procedures and public safety.
Moreover, Herron is also implicated as a getaway driver in a downtown Oakland armed robbery that resulted in the death of one of the suspected robbers, 33-year-old Roosevelt Jones. Another accomplice, 33-year-old Jashawndre Uphsaw, has since been arrested and charged with murder related to the incident.
The case reflects serious concerns over gun violence and criminal activity in the Bay Area, prompting community leaders to call for stricter measures. The implications of Herron’s actions are being closely monitored by authorities, as they assess the ongoing risks to public safety.
As this story develops, officials urge residents to stay informed and vigilant. The next court date for Herron is expected to attract significant media attention, as the community grapples with the fallout from these alarming events. Stay tuned for updates on this critical situation.
