Probation for Drive-By Shooting Driver in Rochester Case

Joseph Wesley Simmons Junior, the driver implicated in a Rochester drive-by shooting, has been sentenced after a year-long legal process. A criminal complaint revealed that police responded to reports of gunfire near 41st Street and East Frontage Road Northwest, where multiple spent shell casings were found.

The incident began when a female victim, who was unharmed, reported that while she was stopped at an intersection, occupants of a nearby vehicle performed a U-turn, leading one individual to fire several shots in her direction. The victim identified Simmons as the driver and 27-year-old Torria Dilanna Sims as the shooter. Tensions had reportedly arisen between the victim and the accused, as Simmons, who was previously in a relationship with the victim, was now dating Sims.

Simmons faced several charges, including aiding an offender-accomplice after the fact and second-degree assault, eventually entering a plea agreement in January. He submitted a Norgaard plea, acknowledging his guilt concerning the assault charge while claiming he could not recall the event due to intoxication.

On Tuesday, Simmons received a sentence of five years probation along with 50 hours of community service. He was also credited for six days already served in jail.

Sims, having already pleaded guilty to a charge of terroristic threats in connection with the shooting, was sentenced to approximately two months in jail and five years on probation earlier in the week.