New Santa Ana | Category Archives: OC Sheriff

Statement from O.C. Sheriff Barnes on the enforcement of face coverings

Posted on July 3, 2020 by Editor Posted in Disease, Don Barnes, Health and Medical, OC Sheriff, Public Safety Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 2, 2020) – Please see the following statement from Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes regarding the wearing of face coverings and enforcement.

“Wearing a face covering is important to mitigate the risk and spread of COVID-19. We have to be practical when considering enforcement of face coverings. With limited exceptions, not wearing a face covering is a violation of the public health order, but it is not a practical application of a criminal law violation. As many other industries are gaining compliance through an education-first approach, deputies will continue to educate the public about the statewide face-covering requirement and will request voluntary compliance.

“During this time of strained police community relations, one only needs to look to New York and other jurisdictions where enforcement has resulted in uses of force and negative outcomes to recognize that an education-first strategy, aimed at obtaining voluntary compliance, is the most sensible and realistic approach.

“I expect that Orange County residents will continue to use common sense and responsibly wear a face covering, in addition to other recommended best practices such as frequent hand washing and maintaining physical distance, for the benefit of their own health as well as the collective health of the community. We must do what is necessary to stop the transmission of COVID-19.”

O.C. Jail COVID-19 mitigation efforts reduced active cases by 97%

Posted on June 19, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Disease, OC Sheriff, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (June 19, 2020) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Custody Operations Division and OC Health Care Agency’s Correctional Health Services (CHS) have worked collaboratively to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the Orange County jail system. Active COVID-19 positive cases in OC Jails have decreased 97% in the last month, while new cases of COVID-19 in Orange County have continued to rise during the same time period.

In just over one month, the efforts of both agencies’ personnel reduced COVID-19 cases from a height of 220 on May 11 to just six remaining cases today. All six active COVID-19 cases are the result of new bookings into the jail, which were identified as part of the jail’s new booking quarantine policy to prevent intra-facility spread of the virus. There have been no intra-facility COVID-19 transmissions among inmates during the last 28 days, which is demonstrative of the advanced planning and procedural changes put in place months ago to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the OC Jail system.

The first case of COVID-19 in the Orange County Jail was diagnosed on March 24, 2020. To date, 1,804 COVID-19 tests have been administered to OC Jail inmates with 389 total positives (383 inmates have fully recovered.) The majority of the COVID-19 positive inmates were asymptomatic, and just two inmates required hospitalization and have recovered.

Working collaboratively with the CHS team, the Department implemented a series of changes to practices and procedures to mitigate the spread of the virus. Beginning in April, all new bookings into the Orange County Jail are quarantined from the general population for a minimum of 14 days. To help prevent the spread of the virus from the community into our jails, all quarantined inmates, including all new bookings, are tested before being integrated into general housing. Also, any inmate exposed to a COVID-19 positive person is medically quarantined and monitored for symptoms. If any inmate exhibits COVID-19 symptoms, they are also isolated and tested.

The Department suspended jail visiting and programs on March 16, 2020. The Department is working diligently to recommence jail visiting and programs while maintaining the health and safety of employees, inmates and visitors.

“We have made a concerted effort to eliminate COVID-19 in our jails with early intervention, coordinated communication, and early implementation of CDC best practices,” said Sheriff Don Barnes. “I am proud of the men and women, both our Department and Correctional Health Services, who courageously came to work everyday and entered an environment with positive COVID-19 cases. Without their collective efforts and commitment to their profession, we would not have been successful.”

The charges against a O.C. Sheriff’s investigator and a recruit include forging documents

Posted on June 18, 2020 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OC Sheriff, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – An Orange County Sheriff’s Investigator and a Sheriff’s recruit have been charged with felonies for conspiring to falsify background information included in the recruit’s application in order to get him hired by the Sheriff’s Department.

Jeremy Ryan Buraglia, 33, of Anaheim Hills, was assigned to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Professional Standards Division as a sworn Sheriff’s Investigator when he is accused of agreeing to conduct a background investigation for a prospective recruit, Mario Barragan.

Buraglia failed to disclose the fact that he and Barragan, 34, of Anaheim Hills, had lived together for several years.

Barragan was fired in April 2015 while still on probation as a police officer with the Pomona Police Department for violating the Department’s social media policy by posting photos of department equipment along with the hashtags “brasspass,” “causeIcan,” and “wisha*****would.” Between 2012 and 2018, Barragan applied to become a Sheriff’s Deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) four different times. He also applied with three other Orange County police departments. All of those applications were rejected for various reasons.

Despite having a longtime friendship with Barragan, Buraglia is accused of conducting the background investigation for Barragan’s final OCSD application in September 2018. Buraglia is accused of omitting relevant information, making false statements, and fabricating and altering supporting documents to make Barragan look qualified to become a sworn peace officer despite his problematic past.

Barragan’s October 2018 OCSD application included a forged letter from Pomona Police Chief Paul J. Capraro dated October 6, 2018. Capraro had retired from the Pomona Police Department in 2017 and was no longer the Chief in 2018. Buraglia is accused of forging Capraro’s signature.

Based in part on a fabricated and incomplete background investigation, Barragan was hired and was assigned to attend the OCSD Regional Training Academy to become a deputy sheriff.

Recruit Barragan was still in the academy as a deputy trainee when the Sheriff’s Department received a tip and began investigating Buraglia’s conflict of interest with regard to Barragan and the reasons for his termination from the Pomona Police Department.

The District Attorney’s Office has now charged Buraglia with three felonies, including two counts of false personation for forging a recommendation letter and falsifying or forging several OCSD reference forms, and conspiracy to present a false background investigation file to obstruct OCSD’s hiring decision.

Barragan is charged with one felony count of conspiracy to present a false background investigation file to obstruct the officers’ hiring decision.

Buraglia faces a maximum of four years and four months in state prison if convicted of all charges. Barragan faces a maximum of three years in state prison if convicted of all charges.

“The badge of a law enforcement officer is a symbol of public trust. Those who wear the badge have a fundamental duty to serve mankind, to safeguard lives, protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression, and the peaceful against violence or disorder,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Unfortunately, there are those who are not worthy of wearing that badge – and holding that public trust. The background process is designed to weed out bad actors who have no business having a career in law enforcement. The manipulation of the background process by a sworn peace officer tarnishes the badge and erodes the public trust. It will not be tolerated and it will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Barragan is no longer employed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Buraglia is on administrative leave.

Barragan and Buraglia are scheduled to be arraigned August 4, 2020.

This case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Steven Schriver of Special Prosecutions.

Sheriff’s Investigator charged after OCSD investigation

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, OCDA, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (June 17, 2020) – Today the Orange County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against a deputy sheriff for alleged conspiracy and false impersonation that occurred when he was working as a background investigator for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The charges are the result of a criminal investigation by the Department.

The Department became aware of the allegations in May 2019, and immediately began an internal criminal investigation. The initial investigation revealed suspected misconduct and inconsistencies in the background investigation of applicant Mario Barragan that occurred from September-November 2018. Barragan was applying to become a deputy, and was hired by the Department in November of 2018 as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee.

Jeremy Buraglia, an 11-year veteran of the Department who holds the rank of investigator, is suspected of falsifying documents related to the background investigation of Barragan who was applying to become a deputy sheriff. It was later discovered that Barragan lives with Buraglia and that he had unsuccessfully applied to be a deputy several times previously.

Buraglia was placed on administrative leave on May 15, 2019. The Department continued its criminal investigation and provided the case to the OCDA in October 2019 for consideration to file criminal charges. With this criminal filing, the Department will move forward with the administrative investigation, which could include discipline up to separation from employment.

Barragan, who was in the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy at the start of the investigation, was released from his probation, separated from employment, and did not graduate from the Academy.

“I am deeply disappointed in the actions of Mr. Buraglia,” said Sheriff Don Barnes. “We hold our employees to a high standard and will hold them accountable for wrongdoing. This criminal investigation conducted by our Department against one of our own speaks to the determination of our agency to not tolerate misconduct and be accountable to the public we serve.”

The OC Sheriff’s Department Use of Force Policies and Practices

Posted on June 9, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Don Barnes, OC Sheriff Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (June 09, 2020) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is committed to transparency about law enforcement budgets, policies and practices. The Department guards against bias, diligently governs how we use force, and holds accountable deputies who betray the public trust. Data demonstrates that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has a long-standing commitment to professionalism and integrity in our delivery of public safety services. Law enforcement must be free from racial discrimination and protect the constitutional rights of each person. I am confident the men and women of my department strive to do so each and every day.

OCSD USE OF FORCE POLICIES & PRACTICES

Chokeholds & Strangleholds

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department does not use, train or authorize deputies to use a chokehold or stranglehold. Deputies are not trained, nor authorized, to place their knee or bodyweight on a subject’s neck.

Carotid Control Hold

Effective immediately, the Department is suspending use of the carotid control hold and evaluating its use and effectiveness as a compliance tool.

De-Escalation

De-escalation is an important component of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Use of Force Policy. Deputies are trained to de-escalate situations.

From Policy 300.3.2 “Voluntary compliance and de-escalation techniques are the preferred means of achieving resolution to potential use of force encounters. When practicable, Members should ask for and allow reasonable time for compliance.” De-escalation is taught in the Academy and as a perishable skill in training every five years.

Warning Before Shooting

The Sheriff’s Training Academy trains all Orange County Sheriff’s deputies to warn before shooting, when feasible.

This is an important component of the academy and the required perishable skills training that takes place throughout a deputy’s career. From Policy 300.4 “Members shall give some warning, if feasible, prior to the use of deadly force.”

Exhaust All Alternatives Before Shooting

OCSD’s Use of Force Policy states, “Law enforcement personnel shall use no more force than is objectively reasonable to accomplish lawful objectives.”

Training and policy reinforce the ideal that shooting/deadly force will only be employed when required by the circumstances of the moment.

Duty to Intervene

The Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and the oath to uphold constitutional rights requires deputies to intervene and report excessive uses of force. In addition, OCSD Rules of Conduct Policy 1018.54 states, “A Member who observes serious misconduct shall take appropriate action to cause the misconduct to immediately cease.

“The reporting of misconduct and prevention of the escalation of misconduct are areas that demand a Member to exercise courage, integrity, and decisiveness. This policy requires that when a Member, at any level, becomes aware of possible misconduct by another Member of this Department, the Member shall immediately report the incident to a supervisor or directly to the Internal Affairs Bureau. This requirement applies to all Members, including supervisory personnel and managers who learn of possible misconduct through the review of a Member’s work…Furthermore, a Member who observes serious misconduct shall take appropriate action to cause the misconduct to immediately cease.”

Shooting at Moving Vehicles

Orange County Sheriff’s Department policy allows shooting at moving vehicles in very limited circumstances when (Policy 300.4.1)

“The vehicle or suspect poses an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to the Member or another person, AND 2. The Member has no reasonable alternative course of action to prevent the death or serious bodily injury.”

Use of Force Continuum

Many modern, professional law enforcement agencies and training institutions have moved away from the “force continuum” standard and instead utilize the force options method. A continuum is not required by OCSD policy.

The quick nature of incidents dictate the type of force that must be used. A methodical step-by-step approach is not always reasonable in a life or death situation. With a “continuum” officers are expected to use each method of force before moving on to the next force method. This is unreasonable in certain circumstances. For instance, if officers respond to an active shooter incident at a school, they should not be expected to use control holds or pepper spray on a suspect with a firearm who is actively shooting children.

Comprehensive Reporting

All uses of forces by an Orange County Sheriff deputy are required to be reported.

Once a use of force occurs, it is reviewed by a sergeant, lieutenant and division commander. This multi-layered review process ensures the opportunity to take corrective action or provide additional training in any instance where use of force was not properly applied.

Success of use of force practices at OCSD is demonstrated by results. For 2019, of our 356,598 public interactions only 421 (0.118%) resulted in a use of force. Of those 421, nine were referred to Internal Affairs for possible inappropriate use of force (2% of the uses of force, 0.002% of the total public interactions.)

OCSD REVIEW OF USE OF FORCE POLICY

The Department is currently reviewing its use of force policy. Effective immediately, the Department is suspending use of the carotid control hold and evaluating its use and effectiveness as a compliance tool.

MAY 28, 2020 INTERNAL MEMO FROM SHERIFF DON BARNES

To the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department,

The death of George Floyd was wrong. Clearly what occurred goes beyond the scope of any tactic we are trained to use. Equally troubling was the fact that three officers stood by while their partner acted in a manner that contradicts his sworn commitment to protect and serve.

Each of you know how diligently we train to utilize de-escalation strategies and how strictly we adhere to use of force policies. However, training and policies are only as good as the people entrusted with carrying them out. My expectation of each member of this Department is that you conduct yourself with a high ethical standard and treat each life with value and respect. I have every confidence that each of you have the same expectation for your partners and yourself.

The badge is tarnished when a peace officer acts outside of their training, violates rights or lets bias cloud judgement. Law enforcement depends on the trust of the community. Incidents like this erode the trust of law enforcement across the nation.

In Orange County we will continue our efforts to work with our residents, listen to their concerns, and provide services rooted in a commitment to the safety of all we serve.

Two former O.C. Deputy Sheriffs plead guilty to failing to properly book evidence

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Don Barnes, OC Sheriff, Orange County Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Two former Orange County Sheriff’s deputies have pleaded guilty in connection with failing to properly book evidence.

Joseph Anthony Atkinson, Jr., 39, and Bryce Richmond Simpson, 31, each pleaded guilty Friday, June 5, 2020 to one misdemeanor count of willful omission to perform their official duty. Atkinson and Simpson were sentenced to one year informal probation.

Simpson became an Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy in 2012. Atkinson was hired in April 2013. Neither is currently employed by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer learned in November 2019 of an Orange County Sheriff’s Department audit that revealed systemic evidence booking issues throughout the Department. An initial review of the 17 cases referred to the District Attorney’s Office beginning in 2017 involving deputies failing to properly book evidence did not result in criminal charges.

Despite cases being submitted over a period of two years, the disclosure of a full systematic review was not presented to the District Attorney until November 2019 when District Attorney Spitzer met in person with Sheriff’s investigators.

Earlier this year District Attorney Spitzer re-opened the criminal investigation of Simpson, Atkinson, and the fifteen other Orange County Sheriff’s deputies accused of not properly booking evidence after personally reviewing each file himself. Sixteen of the deputies have been added to the District Attorney’s Brady Notification System. Brady v. Maryland requires prosecutors to disclose to the defense any material exculpatory evidence, including evidence that could be used to impeach police witnesses.

As a result of the additional review, District Attorney’s Office hired veteran prosecutor Patrick K. O’Toole as a special prosecutor to review the 17 cases and determine if criminal charges are warranted. O’Toole served as the United States Attorney of the Southern District of California and as the head of the San Diego District Attorney’s Public Integrity Division.

“The public has an absolute expectation that their law enforcement officers will carry out their duties lawfully,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “When law enforcement officers break the law, it deprives defendants and victims of their rights, compromises the criminal justice system, and erodes the public trust in ways that it may never be able to recover. The entire system relies on the trust that those sworn to uphold the law are following it themselves.”

The Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office are continuing to conduct a hand search of 22,000 cases to ensure evidence reported booked by deputies was in fact booked.

The District Attorney’s Office’s is continuing to review cases related to the evidence booking audit to see if criminal charges are warranted. District Attorney Spitzer has directed that if no evidence was booked in a specific case charges have and will continue to be dismissed.

Statement from O.C. Sheriff Barnes on a Deputy wearing unauthorized extremist insignia

Posted on June 3, 2020 by Editor Posted in Civil Rights, Crime, Don Barnes, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Racism, Santa Ana 1 Comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (June 3, 2020) – We are aware of photos and video regarding an Orange County Deputy Sheriff wearing patches on his uniform that are associated with extremist groups. These symbols are not department-approved and are prohibited by policy, and contradict the values of the Sheriff’s Department. First and foremost, thank you to the many members of the public who brought this to our attention.

“This deputy’s decision to wear these patches, and the implication of his association with an extremist group, is unacceptable and deeply concerning to me,” said Sheriff Don Barnes. “Any symbol can have multiple meanings and is open to interpretation, which is why wearing of non-approved symbols and patches is strictly prohibited. Instances like this can forge a wedge separating law enforcement from the community we serve, especially during these turbulent times.”

A core mission of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is to provide public safety services free from prejudice or favor and to listen to the concerns of the community we serve.

The Department is conducting an internal investigation. In addition, we have re-briefed all employees regarding our uniform policy.

CAIR-LA: Orange County Sheriff Must Investigate Deputy Wearing Right-Wing Militia Patch

(LOS ANGELES, CA – 6/3/2020) – The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to investigate a deputy sheriff caught on camera wearing a patch supporting right-wing paramilitary groups on his uniform.

The unidentified deputy was part of a group of deputies in Costa Mesa on Tuesday night in response to a protest of the murder of George Floyd. A publicly shared video shows the deputy wearing on his uniform what appears to be a patch of the United States flag partially covered by the logo of the Three Percenters above the word “Oathkeeper,” located in the middle of his tactical vest.

The Three Percenters is a patriot movement that pledges armed resistance against attempts to restrict private gun ownership. The group was co-founded in 2008 by Mike Vanderboegh, who is well known for his violent rhetoric. He published an online novel describing a future confrontation where activists with patriot movement views engage in shootout with law enforcement and plan to murder government officials.

In Idaho, the group has mobilized religious hatred and xenophobic hostility, organizing public rallies against Syrian refugee resettlement.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit civil rights organization, has described the “Oath Keepers” as a “fiercely anti-government, militaristic group.”
https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/antigovernment

SEE: OC Sheriff deputy forgoing his name badge to wear a patch promoting the far right, racist Three-Percenter militia group at tonight’s protest in Costa Mesa.
https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/gvn42k/oc_sheriff_deputy_forgoing_his_name_badge_to_wear/

In a statement, CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said:

“It is outrageous that a member of a law enforcement organization would be so brazen as to apparently wear a symbol of violence, discord and bigotry on his uniform, especially in the wake of the murder of George Floyd.

“We demand that the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) investigate this incident, identify the officer and take appropriate action. We also call for the OCSD to formulate a clear policy against the display of such offensive material and to apologize for this lack of oversight.”

Ayloush urged community members to report any bias incidents to police and to CAIR-LA’s Civil Rights Department at 714-776-1177 or by filing a report at: https://bit.ly/2L9Ezsw.

CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.

A pipe bomb was found and removed from the Floral Park Neighborhood

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Neighborhood Associations, OC Sheriff, OCFA, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

You might recall a commotion on Monday, May 18, at about 1:10 p.m., near W. 19th and N. Flower Streets. Turns out the area had to be evacuated when a suspicious device was confirmed to be a pipe bomb!

Explosives experts from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched after the item was found, and nearby residents were evacuated, according to the O.C. Register.

The pipe bomb was not blown up where it was found. Most likely the O.C. Bomb Squad was able to collect it and take it away for proper disposal.

By 3:45 p.m. the area had been opened up again after investigators had collected evidence from the scene.

We still don’t know who left a pipe bomb in the historic Floral Park Santa Ana neighborhood, or why? Click here to see the Floral Park Neighborhood map.

In-custody death of an inmate at the Theo Lacy Facility

Posted on May 20, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Newport Beach, OC Sheriff, Orange Leave a comment

At approximately 2 p.m. on May 18, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange was pronounced deceased due to a suspected suicide.

The inmate, a male in his 60s, was booked into Orange County Jail in April 2020 by the Newport Beach Police Department for burglary-related charges. His identity will not be released at this time pending notification of next of kin.

Per protocol, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.

COVID-19 testing is being expanded at the OC Jails

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Disease, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (April 24, 2020) – In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Orange County Jails, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and the OC Health Care Agency (HCA) Correctional Health Services have collaborated to expand testing to asymptomatic inmates currently in medical quarantine. Inmates in quarantine have had a known exposure to a confirmed positive COVID-19 case but have not shown symptoms.

This expanded testing, which began on April 22, has resulted in additional positive COVID-19 cases in the OC Jail. Yesterday, the first 22 asymptomatic inmates in quarantine were tested as they were scheduled for reintegration back into the jail’s general population housing. Of those 22 individuals, 18 tested positive. These inmates will now be medically isolated and monitored for symptoms.

This expanded testing was initiated in part due to the California Department of Health’s Interim Guidance on Expanding Access to Testing, prioritizing congregate and correctional facilities.

Prior to the expanded testing of asymptomatic inmates in quarantine, 26 inmates were COVID-19 positive. With the expanded testing, positives to date total 82 with 147 tests administered. This data is captured at a point in time, and test results continue to be reported from the HCA Public Health Lab.

On April 24, OCSD began posting OC Jail case count information on the Department’s COVID-19 website at www.ocsd.org/about_ocsd/covid_19. This information will be updated daily Monday-Friday.

OCSD and HCA Correctional Health Services have been working collaboratively to mitigate and contain the spread of COVID-19 in OC Jails since January, with enhanced medical screening for all inmates being booked into the facility and all staff entering OC Jails. All inmates have been issued face coverings. In addition, to contain the number of individuals entering OC Jails, visiting has been suspended since early March.

###For information on COVID-19 in Orange County, visit https://occovid19.ochealthinfo.com/

In-custody death of another inmate at the O.C. Central Men’s Jail

Posted on March 31, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (March 30, 2020) –At approximately 3 p.m. on March 29, an inmate previously housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The inmate, a 69-year old man, was transferred to the hospital the morning of March 27 due to medical issues resulting from underlying health issues. Upon the inmate’s arrival at the hospital, he was tested for COVID-19, and the results are pending.

The inmate was booked into Orange County Jail on Jan. 24, 2020 for a probation violation and possession of narcotics.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will investigate the in-custody death. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an in-custody death review. No additional information will be released at this time.

Early release of inmates from the O.C. Jail starting due to COVID-19

Posted on March 28, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Public Safety, Santa Ana 2 Comments

SANTA ANA, Ca. (March 27, 2020): Communities across the United States are in the midst of an unprecedented public health crisis. As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to evolve, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is taking proactive steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Three inmates in the Orange County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19, making it necessary to quarantine or isolate portions of the jail population to contain the spread of the virus. As a consequence, it is critical to create additional bed capacity in the Orange County Jail System.

State law authorizes a Sheriff, in cases of emergency, to release inmates from a correctional facility. Under this authority, and in collaboration with County of Orange criminal justice partners, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be releasing a limited number of inmates prior to the conclusion of their sentence. At this time, Sheriff Don Barnes is limiting releases to low-level offenders with less than 10 days remaining on their sentence and inmates who are medically vulnerable as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and the Public Health Officer. Violent offenders and those who pose a risk to the community will not be released early.

“The decision for early release was made collaboratively and is absolutely necessary to stop the spread of this virus and preserve lifesaving medical resources,” said Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “During this unprecedented moment, with substantial pressure on our health system, we are taking action to protect those in our custody, reduce the risk to our correctional personnel, and ultimately preserve our mission to keep the public safe.”

Without the ability to manage the impacts of COVID-19 within custody operations, there is a risk of an outbreak in the jail system. Utilizing the emergency authority to release a small segment of the inmate population is a proactive way to reduce demand on the healthcare system beyond the jail walls and maintain the ability of the jail to keep the most serious offenders behind bars.

To date, the total jail system houses a population of 4,580 inmates. A total of 141 inmates have been quarantined due to potential exposure to COVID-19. Fifteen inmates have been tested for COVID-19, eight inmates have had a negative result, three have tested positive, and four are pending.

The Sheriff’s Department has implemented several changes to jail operations over the past few weeks in response to COVID-19. Actions include requiring enhanced medical screening for all inmates, law enforcement, and staff entering the Orange County Jail; temperature screening prior to entering any jail facility; temporary suspension of visiting; and increased access to hygiene and cleaning supplies for inmates.

Orange County Jail inmate tests positive for COVID-19

Posted on March 25, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Disease, Emergencies, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (March 24, 2020): An inmate in Orange County Jail has tested positive for COVID-19. The inmate, a man in his 40s, was booked into the Orange County Jail on June 17, 2018 on suspicion of child endangerment, torture, false imprisonment and assault with a deadly weapon.

The inmate was recently isolated for flu-like symptoms, and was administered a test for COVID-19. The positive test results were returned today. The inmate remains in isolation receiving medical treatment with moderate symptoms, and at this time does not require hospitalization.

Prior to exhibiting symptoms, the inmate was housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Santa Ana in barracks housing. The Orange County Jail employs an electronic card system inside the facility, which will enable the Department to identify all inmates and staff who have had contact with the inmate to notify them of the potential exposure.

Inmates who have potentially been exposed will be closely monitored for symptoms and their movement inside the jail will be restricted for up to 14 days. If an inmate begins to exhibit symptoms, the Department will follow the Communicable Disease protocol and the inmate will be isolated. The OC Health Care Agency’s Correctional Health Services staff will provide appropriate medical care and testing.

“We have been proactive in implementing containment strategies, and now will be activating our Communicable Disease protocol to safeguard the inmates and staff at the Orange County Jail,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.

To date, twelve inmates have been isolated due to flu-like symptoms, and eight have had negative COVID-19 or flu test results. The remaining three inmates are isolated pending test results.

The Sheriff’s Department is requiring enhanced medical screening for all inmates, law enforcement, and staff entering the Orange County Jail, including temperature screening prior to entering any OC Jail facility. The Orange County Jail population has steadily declined over the last ten days.

A DUI suspect has died at the Theo Lacy Jail

Posted on March 24, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (March 24, 2020): An inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange was pronounced deceased at a local hospital the evening of March 23, 2020. The inmate, a 43-year old man, was booked into Orange County Jail on March 13, 2020 to serve time for a DUI conviction. He was transferred to the hospital at approximately 10:30 a.m. on March 23, 2020 due to medical issues, and was pronounced deceased at approximately 9 p.m the same day.

The inmate was recently isolated for flu-like symptoms, and was administered a test for COVID-19. The test results were negative, indicating the inmate did not have COVID-19. Following the negative results, the inmate remained in isolation receiving medical treatment until he was transferred to the hospital.

The Department is not releasing the identity of the deceased inmate at this time pending the notification of next-of-kin.

There have been no inmates diagnosed with COVID-19 in an Orange County Jail to date. Twelve inmates have been isolated due to flu-like symptoms, and eight have had negative COVID-19 test results. The remaining four inmates are isolated pending the results of their tests. The Sheriff’s Department is requiring enhanced medical screening for all inmates, law enforcement, and staff entering the Orange County Jail.

Inmate awaiting murder trial indicted for attempting to murder a Sheriff’s Deputy

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – An inmate awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder has been indicted by the Orange County Grand Jury on charges he attempted to kill an Orange County Sheriff’s deputy and attacked two other peace officers inside the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.

Emmanuel Vega, 36, of Riverside, was indicted on one felony count of attempted murder of a peace officer with premeditation and deliberation, one felony count of aggravated assault on a peace officer, and two misdemeanor counts of battery on a peace officer in connection with the January 12, 2019 attack inside Theo Lacy. He pled not guilty on February 28, 2020 and is currently being held on $1 million bail.

Vega faces a maximum of 15 years to life if convicted on all four counts.

According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, assaults by Orange County Jail inmates have increased exponentially since implementation of AB109. Prior to AB109, from 2007 to 2011, there was an average of 26.8 inmate-on-staff assaults per year. From 2012 to 2017, the six years after AB109 was implemented, there was an average of 64.5 inmate assaults on staff per year – a 140 percent increase. Inmate-on-inmate assaults are increasing as well. From 2007 to 2011, there was an average of 334 inmate-on-inmate assaults per year. From 2012 to 2017, there was an average of 745 inmate-on-inmate assaults per year – a 123 percent increase. On any given day, there are approximately 825 state prisoners serving their multi-year sentences in Orange County Jail.

“Our local jails have become violent state prisons because of terrible policy decisions out of Sacramento. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office will vigorously and forcefully prosecute anyone who commits violence against any Orange County jail personnel,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Housing hardened criminals in local jails that were never intended to hold these kind of violent career criminals is putting the safety of our law enforcement officers at risk more than ever before – and Orange County is suffering the effects. It is alarming and unacceptable that our law enforcement officers are increasingly becoming the targets of violence behind bars. We will not tolerate it.”

“This attempted murder against a member of our Department was investigated by the Sheriff’s Custody Intelligence Unit and the case was presented to the District Attorney’s Office,” said Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “A crime of this severity is indicative of a sophisticated criminal element operating within our jails. These state-prisoners-turned-county-inmates are more criminally sophisticated, increasing both the inmate assaults on staff and the amount of narcotics being trafficked into Orange County Jails. This is a challenge that sheriffs statewide are experiencing. We are taking proactive steps to address and mitigate the impacts. It is important for the public to know the reality of these problems and the consequence of poor public policy that has created them.”