By Dean J. Condoleo
The Modesto Bee
MODESTO, Calif. — A Modesto man described by prosecutors as a leader of a white supremacist criminal street gang inside a Stanislaus County jail has been convicted of felony assault after authorities said he orchestrated the beating of another inmate over perceived disrespect.
Buik James Hooton, 38, was found guilty Thursday, Oct. 29, of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, according to Stanislaus Superior Court records.
The jury returned its verdict shortly after 3 p.m. following deliberations that began earlier that day.
The conviction stems from an Aug. 14, 2024, assault at the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s REACT facility at 194 E. Hackett Road in Modesto. The victim suffered multiple fractures to his nose and jaw after being attacked inside a jail cell, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said Hooton was the ranking member of the Peckerwood gang in his housing unit and exercised authority over other members.
The victim, who was also associated with the gang, allegedly had been involved in a disagreement with Hooton before the assault, according to an arrest warrant affidavit filed by sheriff’s Detective Darwin Summerton.
Hooton directed another inmate, Caleb Bronson, to assist him in confronting the victim, while a third inmate, Kristopher Sullivan, was instructed to observe the encounter, investigators said. What happened inside the jail cell?
According to court filings, the confrontation began around 3:10 p.m. when Hooton, Bronson and Sullivan left a second-floor dormitory and walked together toward room N402 on the first floor of the facility.
Surveillance footage showed Hooton calling the victim out of a neighboring room, N401, before all four men entered N402, prosecutors said.
There were no surveillance cameras inside the room where the assault occurred.
Approximately 50 seconds later, Hooton, Bronson and Sullivan emerged. The victim exited shortly afterward, holding a towel against his face, according to the prosecution’s account of the footage.
Other inmates were subsequently seen entering the room with towels, a mop and a bucket, apparently cleaning the area.
In a court filing, prosecutors said the victim had previously insulted Hooton to other inmates, including by calling him a “junior cadet” because of his perceived closeness with correctional deputies.
The victim told investigators Hooton confronted him over those remarks before Bronson struck him in the face from behind, knocking him to the ground.
The victim said he attempted to cover himself while additional blows followed.
An arrest warrant affidavit states that the victim suffered fractures to both nasal bones, along with fractures of the left mandibular body and right mandibular neck portions of the lower jaw.
Deputies initially responded to a report that an inmate had fallen in the shower. The injured man told authorities he had slipped while getting out of the shower, according to court documents.
Five days later, on Aug. 19 , the victim contacted deputies and provided an account of the assault, identifying the confrontation involving Hooton and the other inmates. Prosecutors argued gang hierarchy motivated attack
The District Attorney’s Office argued in pretrial filings that Hooton’s alleged leadership position was central to understanding why the assault occurred.
Prosecutors described Hooton as the housing unit’s “keyholder,” a position of authority among inmates associated with the Peckerwood gang.
The prosecution’s theory was that Hooton aided and abetted the assault by arranging the confrontation and directing other participants, rather than being the inmate identified as delivering the principal blows.
Defense attorney Samual Getrich sought to prevent prosecutors from introducing testimony about Hooton’s alleged gang affiliation, arguing that Hooton had not been charged with a separate gang offense or enhancement and that the evidence could unfairly prejudice jurors.
Deputy District Attorney Thane Nored, the prosecutor, countered that evidence concerning gang hierarchy and disciplinary practices was necessary to establish the motive and intent behind the assault.
The jury trial began Oct. 20 before Superior Court Judge Jeff Mangar.
During the proceedings, jurors heard testimony from the victim and several sheriff’s personnel. Court records also show that video exhibits without audio were played for the jury.
The prosecution rested its case Oct. 28, followed by the defense. Judge finds aggravating circumstances true
The day after the guilty verdict, Mangar held a separate hearing to consider two circumstances in aggravation alleged by prosecutors.
The judge found both allegations true beyond a reasonable doubt, according to an Oct. 30 minute order.
The first finding established that Hooton induced others to participate in the assault or occupied a position of leadership or dominance over other participants.
The second concerned Hooton’s criminal history, with the judge finding that his prior adult convictions or sustained juvenile petitions were numerous or of increasing seriousness.
Those findings may be considered when the court determines Hooton’s sentence.
Hooton remains in custody without bail.
He is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 11 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 3 of Stanislaus Superior Court.
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