San Leandro man avoids prison for gun case he got after being shot in leg

OAKLAND — From late 2023 to 2024, Kenyatta Roberson had a rough six months — he was shot in the leg, hospitalized, the ATF raided his home, then he picked up a gun charge.

But lately, Roberson’s has enjoyed better fortune. Federal prosecutors argued for Roberson to be thrown in the slammer for two years, but a judge disagreed. Instead Roberson was given a three-year supervised release term in lieu of jail or prison, court records show.

Roberson was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm last year. Prosecutors say he shot back at his assailant after being struck in the leg by gunfire in October 2023. A raid on his home in May 2024 yielded several more firearm and evidence he was “stockpiling” guns, authorities said.

But since picking up the felony case last year, Roberson got a job, engaged in counseling, and took advantage of programs offered to people on pretrial release with a pending federal case. Even prosecutors acknowledged he “performed well” over the last year, while still arguing for a prison sentence, court records show.

Roberson’s lawyer described him in court records as the victim of an attempted murder who is turning his life around. He plans to become a truck driver full time and provide for his family, a defense sentencing memo says.

“He fully accepts responsibility for his wrongdoing and is remorseful for his actions,” defense lawyer Jesse Berkowitz wrote in court filings. He added that Roberson is “is eager to prove to the Court that, with steady guidance, he can begin a law-abiding life.”