Isaiah Stokes, an actor known for his roles in shows such as “Boardwalk Empire” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of a New York City man. This sentencing was announced by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on March 21. Stokes was found guilty of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon following the shooting death of 37-year-old Tyrone Jones.
Katz remarked that justice has been served, noting that Stokes will face significant time in prison due to his actions. The case revealed that Stokes, 45, had been plotting his revenge against Jones since an incident in October 2020, when Jones removed Stokes from his birthday party at a Queens club after a confrontation.
During the trial, prosecutors revealed that Stokes had placed a GPS tracker on Jones’ car in late January 2021. On February 7, 2021, he located Jones and waited in a parked SUV before exiting and walking around the area for about 15 minutes. He then approached Jones’ car and fired 11 shots, hitting Jones multiple times before fleeing the scene.
Medical personnel pronounced Jones dead at the scene. After the shooting, Stokes returned to his home in Rego Park, Queens, and later returned the rental SUV he had been using to a location in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Stokes was convicted on March 7, following a trial that lasted two weeks and began on February 13. Katz described the shooting as a “calculated murder,” emphasizing that Stokes was determined to carry out his revenge. The altercation leading to the crime was sparked by Stokes’ inappropriate behavior towards female guests at the birthday party, which ultimately led to his expulsion and subsequent retaliation.
Stokes has had a career in television since the mid-2000s, appearing in various popular shows. He also performs music under the name I$AIAH.
