SAN DIEGO — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - California, Southern), published as received.

SAN DIEGO – Manuel Joseph Rose III of San Diego was sentenced in federal court today to 10 years in prison for committing an armed carjacking and unlawfully possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.

Rose was convicted in two separate jury trials in October. First, a jury found Rose guilty of Carjacking and Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Violent Crime. The following week, a different jury found Rose guilty of possessing thousands of rounds of firearm ammunition while being a convicted felon.

“An armed carjacking is more than a theft — it is a violent crime that leaves lasting trauma for victims,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “This sentence reflects the serious danger posed when a convicted felon arms himself and threatens innocent people.”

According to evidence presented at the carjacking trial, a cabdriver was dispatched to pick up Rose on the evening of July 3, 2024. After the cabdriver took Rose to several locations, Rose’s behavior became alarming. He started looking around and slinking down in the back seat of the cab. This prompted the cabdriver to stop at a 7-Eleven to ask for help. When the cabdriver did that, Rose said “Why did you go here? Why did you stop?” Rose then pulled out a handgun, racked the slide of the handgun, and pointed it at the cabdriver. As the cabdriver ran into the 7-Eleven, he dropped the keys to the cab just outside the driver’s door.

While the cabdriver was in the 7-Eleven calling police, Rose picked up the keys and fled from the in the cab. Minutes later, Chula Vista police found Rose driving the stolen cab and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. Rose refused to yield to police and instead led police on a high-speed chase across multiple freeways. Rose drove so recklessly that police terminated the pursuit to protect the public. Rose eventually ditched the cab in North Park and, when apprehended by police, denied ever being the cab. However, Rose’s DNA and his hat were found in the cab, and the victim identified Rose as the carjacker.

The firearm Rose used during the carjacking was never recovered by police. However, on July 8, 2024 - five days after the carjacking - Rose’s living area was searched. During that search, investigators recovered, among other items, ghost gun kits, semiautomatic handgun parts and two loaded semiautomatic handgun magazines.

The July 8 search of the defendant’s living area also revealed a rifle-style firearm and safe containing more than five thousand rounds of various caliber ammunition, high-capacity ammunition magazines, and various gun-related items. Rose was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition as a previously convicted felon.

While the jury was deliberating in the carjacking trial, a second trial began concerning the firearm and ammunition seized from Rose’s residence. The second jury found Rose guilty of possessing the ammunition but did not reach a decision on whether Rose illegally possessed the rifle-style firearm.

When pronouncing the defendant’s sentence, U.S. District Judge Todd Robinson described the cabdriver’s experience as “horrific,” adding: “No one should have to go to work and face the situation he faced that day.”

“The FBI worked diligently on this investigation and our collaboration with our partners at the Chula Vista Police Department was the driving force that led to a successful prosecution,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “FBI San Diego will continue to engage with our partners to ensure all violent criminals are held accountable.”

“I would like to recognize the exceptional efforts of both our Patrol officers and Special Investigations Unit detectives, along with our federal partners,” said Chula Vista Police Department Acting Chief Dan Peak. “Their teamwork, professionalism, and dedication were critical in ensuring a thorough investigation and successful prosecution of the suspect.”

DEFENDANT                                   Case Number 24cr1586-TWR                                            

Manuel Rose III                                 Age: 40                                   San Diego, CA

CHARGES

Carjacking (18 U.S.C. §2119)

Maximum penalty: 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine

Brandishing a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence (18 U.S.C. §924(c)(1)(A))

Maximum penalty: Life in prison and a $250,000 fine

Felon in Possession of Ammunition (18 U.S.C. §922(g)(1))

Maximum penalty: Fifteen years in prison and a $250,000 fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Chula Vista Police Department

United States Marshals Service

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives