SAN DIEGO — JC Blake Sartor, the man convicted of shooting San Diego Police Officer James Romero in the arm, was sentenced Thursday to 38 years and four months to life in prison.

Before the sentence was handed down, Officer Romero delivered a powerful victim impact statement.

“I’m happy with the conviction, to finally be at this point today, but the reality is we both lost,” said Officer Romero. “My wife is scared someone will call her again to say her husband has been shot. She worries every day I go to the job I love.  It hangs out in the back of my head, it does not leave.”

Sartor sat just feet away from Officer Romero as he spoke to the judge. His arms were shackled tightly, to the point he could barely move them. Sartor did not speak during the hearing.

Officer Romero also addressed Sartor directly, stating, “The prison you are stuck in in your mind is worse than the one you are headed to for years to come.”

Sartor, who was found guilty by a jury in July of eight counts including attempted murder, received his sentence from Judge Theodore M. Weathers. The case stemmed from a June 2023 incident that began in Chollas Creek. Officer Romero, began pursuing Sartor, believing he was driving a stolen truck. 

According to prosecutors, Officer Romero pursued Sartor who fired two shots during the chase. One bullet struck Officer Romero, seriously wounding him in the arm and another bullet hit a building in the apartment complex. Officer Romero was treated for his injuries at the hospital and released.

Sartor was arrested six days after the shooting. Investigators said they lifted fingerprints and DNA from the stolen truck, allowing them to identify Sartor as the driver. Sartor was located at a house in Kearny Mesa. When he was arrested, investigators said they found the same gun used to shoot Officer Romero on him.

During the trial, the jury was shown body-worn camera footage of Officer Romero’s bloody arm following the shooting. His defense attorney argued there were identity issues in the case, noting that the shooter was wearing a mask and standing at a distance. However, the jury ultimately found Sartor guilty.

Sartor’s defense attorney told CBS 8, Sartor’s mother was going to address the court during Thursday’s hearing. However, during proceedings that never happened.

Elena Sartor arrived inside the courtroom just as the hearing wrapped up. She was visibly upset she did not get a chance to speak to the judge. 

Defendant’s mother speaks

Thursday afternoon CBS 8 spoke to Sartor’s mother by phone. She said she was in contact with her son’s defense attorney, and waited outside the courtroom for about thirty minutes, but no one came to let her in. She said she was shocked when she realized the hearing was over.

She said her son lost his father when he was a baby and grew up without a dad, and that always affected him. He witnessed his mother go through an abusive relationship when he was five years old. She said he eventually turned to drugs. She said for years, he went to therapy for depression and PTSD.

She said she even called Child Protective Services at one point, desperate for help.

“I failed him, but the system failed him too,” said Sartor. 

She said her son was arrested so many times, but rather than get help for his addiction to drugs, she said he was always locked up. 

She said she plans to file an appeal in this case.