Big Idea

• Janae Rochelle Richardson, 29, pled guilty to 6 Counts of Disorderly Conduct with a weapon
• Richardson threw a bottle of water while both vehicles were moving
• While pulled over, a search of Richardson’s car, revealed drug paraphernalia
• Richardson was already on felony probation
• Read more…

After throwing a bottle out of her vehicle, Richardson continued her road rage, making matters worse. 

On Wednesday, November 17, 2021, the Honorable Thomas K. Kelly of the Yavapai County Superior Court sentenced Janae Rochelle Richardson, 29, of Phoenix, to 1.5 years in the Arizona State Prison and 9 years supervised probation. Richardson pled guilty on September 8, 2021 to six counts of Disorderly Conduct with a Weapon, all class 6 dangerous offenses, Misconduct Involving Weapons, a class four felony, Sale or Transportation of Marijuana, a class three felony, Possession or Use of Drug Paraphernalia, a class six felony, and Misconduct Involving Weapons, a class one misdemeanor.

The case stems from the early evening of September 6, 2020, at a roundabout on 89A in Sedona. The victim’s vehicle was in the outside lane and Richardson’s vehicle was on the inside lane. The victim honked the horn because Richardson’s vehicle was getting too close to them. Richardson then threw a bottle of water at the victim’s vehicle. When the victim threw the water bottle back at Richardson’s vehicle, Richardson responded by hanging out of the passenger window and pointing a firearm at the victims, some of whom were minor children. A few seconds later, Richardson pointed the handgun at the victim’s vehicle again. Police responded and located Richardson’s vehicle at the Circle K parking lot. A search of Richardson’s vehicle revealed a handgun between the driver seat and center console and marijuana in the center console. Neither Richardson nor the other occupant of the vehicle possessed a medical marijuana card. Also discovered in the vehicle was a backpack that contained bindles, scale and two jars of marijuana. Richardson was on felony probation out of Maricopa County at the time of the incident. 

Sheila Polk, Yavapai County Attorney, would like to remind the general public that highway or road safety is the responsibility of every driver. If you observe erratic driving behavior, contact law enforcement immediately.