Actor Isaiah Stokes Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for Murder

QUEENS, N.Y. – Isaiah Stokes, 45, a television actor known for his roles in “Blue Bloods” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison on March 21 for the murder of Tyrone Jones in a 2021 shooting that followed a prior altercation.

Stokes was found guilty earlier in March of second-degree murder and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. The jury reached its decision after a two-week trial in Queens County, where evidence revealed that Stokes had sought revenge against Jones following a heated exchange at a birthday party in October 2020.

According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the conflict began when Jones ejected Stokes from the party due to his inappropriate behavior toward female guests. The incident escalated, leaving Stokes injured after a fight with other partygoers.

“Justice has now been served for the premeditated murder perpetrated by this defendant, and he will now spend 25 years to life in prison as a direct consequence of his criminal actions,” Katz stated. The sentencing reflects the calculated nature of Stokes’ crime, which the D.A. described in public statements as an act motivated by revenge.

In the weeks leading up to the murder, prosecutors detailed that Stokes placed a GPS tracking device on Jones’ vehicle, enabling him to monitor Jones’ movements. On February 7, 2021, Stokes tracked Jones to a location where the victim sat in his parked Jeep Grand Cherokee, waiting for a friend, and unleashed 11 gunshots, striking Jones multiple times in the head and chest.

Emergency services pronounced Jones dead at the scene. Stokes then returned the rental vehicle he had used to track Jones back to a location in Hackensack, New Jersey, days later.

“The defendant, a part-time actor, stewed for months after being thrown out of a birthday party for his own inappropriate behavior,” Katz added during the trial. “Intent on revenge, he tracked Jones down and executed a lethal plan to kill him.”

Stokes was arrested on July 16, 2021, five months after the murder, following a joint investigation by NYPD detectives, which involved reviewing surveillance footage and tracking the GPS device found under Jones’ car.

During sentencing, Judge Kenneth Holder expressed disbelief at Stokes’ actions, remarking on the tragic waste of potential talent for the sake of revenge. “You hunted down Jones and shot him 11 times, ensuring he would die. You are now an example of how one can completely ruin their life in the blink of an eye,” Holder stated.

The victim’s father, in a powerful statement, condemned Stokes as a “monster” for the crime, detailing the lasting impact of the loss on his family. “What I don’t want to remember is the day that you decided to murder my son,” he said.

Stokes has a history in television dating back to the mid-2000s, featuring in series such as “Boardwalk Empire,” “Power,” and “The Mysteries of Laura.” However, his legacy will now be overshadowed by this violent act and its tragic repercussions.