New Orleans Man Sentenced to 30 Years in Connection with 2018 Ascension Robbery

Published 11:46 am Wednesday, February 23, 2022

On October 15, 2021, 31-year-old Joshua Sorina of 1434 Teche St. New Orleans, LA, was found guilty by an Ascension Parish Jury of 1st Degree Robbery (4 counts). Sorina was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Phil Maples, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Cody Martin. Sorina was convicted in connection with a 2018 robbery in Ascension Parish.

 

         On July 19, 2018, Ascension Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Sonic Drive in located along Hwy 73 in reference to a robbery. Detectives responded, and upon arrival learned that four juveniles were robbed by two male subjects who fled the area in the vehicle belonging to one of the victims. During interviews with the victims and witnesses involved, detectives learned that two male subjects approached the vehicle occupied by the juveniles, ordered them out of the vehicle, and fled the area in the victim’s vehicle. Patrol deputies were able to locate the vehicle as it exited I-10 on to LA 70 and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The suspects refused to stop, and a high-speed chase ensued into St. James Parish where the suspects crashed on LA 18 near St. James High School. Both suspects were able to flee the crash site on foot. Ascension and St. James Deputies apprehended one of the suspects, identified as 30-year-old Desean Landry hiding on St. James High School property. Desean Landry of Alexandria, LA was identified as one of the suspects at the Sonic Drive in and was subsequently booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.

 

         Later on the same evening, St. James Parish Deputies were dispatched to an area chemical plant in reference to a suspicious male subject asking security guards to use a phone. Deputies made contact with the subject, who was identified as Joshua Sorina. Contact was made with Sorina a short distance away from where the vehicle pursuit with deputies was terminated.  Sorina initially gave deputies a false identity and advised that he was in the area due to his car breaking down. Deputies were unable to locate any broken-down vehicles in the area. Contact was made with Ascension detectives who were able to identify Sorina as the other male subject involved in the robbery. Sorina was subsequently booked into the Ascension Parish Jail.

 

         Upon the jury rendering a guilty verdict in this matter, sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. On February 15, 2022, Joshua Sorina was sentenced to 30 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.  

 

         Desean Landry remains incarcerated awaiting trial.

 

Submitted by Public Information Officer Tyler Cavalier for 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky L. Babin.