Career Criminal Sentenced 46-years-to-Life For Vicious Assault, Robbery

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that the Honorable Delbert Oros sentenced Frederick Tanner to 46 years and 4 months to life in prison. 

On April 16, 2014, a jury convicted Tanner of four felonies including criminal threats, assault likely to roduce great bodily injury, commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. The jury also found true six prior 

conviction allegations, including prior strikes. 

On January 19, 2013, Tanner stole a wallet out of a vehicle while the owner was distracted. Minutes later, he entered a closed restaurant as the owner and an employee were busy getting ready to open. Tanner snuck into the private office and began to go through the employee’s purse when he was caught by the owner. Tanner proceeded to viciously beat the owner while threating to kill him. The employee called 911 and ran for help. When the employee returned, she saw Tanner sitting on top of the business owner with his hands around the owner’s throat and smashing his head repeatedly into the ground. The employee bravely intervened. Shortly thereafter, law enforcement arrived and took Tanner into custody. 

Tanner has a long criminal history dating back to 1978, including 12 felony convictions and strike offenses. He has served five separate prison sentences and has been returned to custody on at least 14 prior occasions for parole violations and new convictions.