Bad rap leads to shooting and bad rap for Ronan man
By Michelle Lovato
Leader reporter
reporter@leaderadvertiser.com
RONAN – Sean Lozeau did not think his girlfriend’s joke was funny when she teased him one night about his rap singing skill.
Instead of laughing along with the gang, he grabbed his gun and started shooting.
Lake County Prosecutors said the woman delivered the joke about 4 a.m., Sept. 15, 2013, while in the company of Lozeau and two other friends.
Intoxicated, Lozeau began rapping to a song when his girlfriend “disrespected” him, according to Lake County Court records.
“(Lozeau) was intoxicated and instigating fights. The three victims decided to leave the residence, went outside and entered a car parked in front of the house,” court records said.
Prosecutors said that as the three friends climbed into the car, they heard a single gunshot, later telling cops Lozeau shot at them.
“The three victims heard something hit the vehicle and sped away,” court records said.
After law enforcement officials interviewed the three remaining friends who said “they were physically afraid.”
Cops later located the .40 Smith and Wesson caliber bullet casing near the door of the residence and a gunshot hole in the right front fender of the victim’s vehicle, records said.
When police began looking for Lozeau, he disappeared.
When located, Lozeau was charged with three counts of felony assault with a weapon, a charge that brings a total of 60 years in state prison and a maximum total of $150,000 in fees.
Though Lozeau pled not guilty in Dec. 2013, he eventually accepted a plea deal with Lake County Court officials in January and pled guilty to three counts of criminal endangerment.
But before he could get the incident behind him, Lozeau failed to complete the pre-sentencing process, forcing the Department of Corrections Adult Parole and Probation Department to request a warrant with a $100,000 bond, records said.
Once back in the court’s company, Lozeau was re-scheduled for sentencing in February.
Still Lozeau, “failed to show up for his appointments,” disappearing again.
Re-arrested on warrant in August, prosecutors agree to drop bail jumping charges.
On Sept. 17, District Court Judge James A. Manley sentenced Lozeau to 15 years in the Department of Corrections, with 10 years suspended.