New Santa Ana | Category Archives: Fullerton

Fullerton man arrested with enough Fentanyl to kill 12M people

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Fullerton, OCDA Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A suspected drug dealer has been charged with several felonies for possessing enough fentanyl to kill 12 million people, nearly four times the population of Orange County. California Highway Patrol officers discovered four kilos of the deadly drug inside the man’s vehicle during a traffic stop in Fullerton and a search of the man’s Fullerton home revealed 20 more kilos of fentanyl, $250,000 in fentanyl pills, and 122 grams of methamphetamine. A lethal dose of fentanyl is as little as 2 milligrams.

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

Alfonso Gomez-Santana, 60, of Fullerton has been charged with one felony count of sale or transport of a controlled substance and two felony counts of possession of sale with intent to sell. He faces a maximum sentence of 6 years and 8 months in the Orange County Jail if convicted on all counts.

Gomez-Santana was arrested on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 after California Highway Patrol Officers pulled him over near South Lemon Street and Orangethorpe Avenue in the City of Fullerton and discovered four kilos of fentanyl in his vehicle and additional fentanyl and methamphetamine inside his Fullerton home.

“It is unconscionable that someone who has the ability to kill 12 million people is facing just a handful of years in jail,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “Fentanyl is a national epidemic that killed more than 100,000 Americans last year and it’s not going to stop unless we have the tools as prosecutors to hold these drug dealers and drug manufacturers accountable for peddling death. Every parent in America should be petrified that one day they are going to walk into their child’s bedroom and find them dead because their child thought they were experimenting with recreational drugs and instead drug dealers sold them a deadly dose of fentanyl. This is not fear-mongering; this is reality – and if we don’t start strengthening penalties for drug dealers it’s going to be the reality for you or someone you love.”

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office has been aggressively been combatting fentanyl through education and prosecution.

In November, Orange County prosecutors began administering a controlled substance warning to drug dealers, manufacturers, and distributors that if their drug-related activities result in someone’s death they could be charged with murder. Last month, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office cross-designated an Orange County prosecutor as a federal prosecutor to prosecute fentanyl cases federally in an effort to maximize sentences for drug dealers.

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Moss of the Narcotics Enforcement Team is prosecuting this case.

Former O.C. police officers doing unlicensed bounty hunting charged with kidnapping

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Fullerton, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE, Calif. – Former police officers Rodger Jeffrey Corbett, 49, of Corona, and Kevin Andrew Pedersen, 34, of Fullerton, will be arraigned on three felony counts each of kidnapping, false imprisonment by violence, menace, fraud or deceit and enhancement with firearm in the commission of a felony. This comes after the Orange County Grand Jury heard sworn testimony and indicted Corbett and Pedersen for their conduct working illegally as bail fugitive recovery persons, more commonly known as bounty hunters. Their arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, June 29.

Who will you vote for in the OC 2nd Supervisorial District?

The California Department of Insurance began an investigation after seeing a social media video of Corbett and Pederson attempting to locate a subject who had missed court appearances. The video misidentified them as undercover police officers. However, a joint probe by the Department of Insurance and the Orange County District Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit found that Corbett and Pedersen were former police officers who had not completed the requirements to be bail fugitive recovery persons and were operating in that capacity unlawfully. Corbett and Pedersen allegedly forcibly kidnapped and handcuffed the girlfriend of the subject they were seeking and drove her around for several hours. They both were visibly armed at the time of the alleged kidnapping.

While bounty hunters are required under the Bail Fugitive Recovery Persons Act (California Penal Code 1299) to undergo training and meet other conditions, unlike bail agents and sureties who hire them they are not required to be licensed by the Department of Insurance or any other agency. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and the Department of Insurance are sponsoring Assembly Bill 2043, authored by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, to require bail fugitive recovery persons be licensed and require better oversight by the Department and by both the licensed bail agents and sureties that utilize them in apprehending subjects.

The Department is continuing the investigation into the hiring of the unpermitted bail fugitive recovery persons by the licensed bail agent. This case is being prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, Special Prosecutions Unit.

Santa Ana drugstore robbery suspects got away after a police pursuit and car crash

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, Fullerton, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

ICYMI: Santa Ana police were chasing robbery suspects when they flipped their vehicle on the northbound I-5. Police detained three suspects but are searching for another. pic.twitter.com/5FaxluWisG
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) March 17, 2022

SAPD police officers responded to a call of a robbery at a drugstore in Santa Ana on Wednesday evening, March 16, just after 8:45 p.m. and the suspects fled in a vehicle.

The suspects ended up on the 5 Freeway, heading north, when they crashed and their vehicle overturned beside a 5 Freeway off-ramp near Magnolia Avenue in Fullerton.

Police do not believe that the car came into contact with any police vehicle although the cause of the crash was remains under investigation.

Incredibly two of the people believed to be in the car were able to flee from the accident, on foot. They remain outstanding.

The SAPD is not yet clear if any of the suspects were inured or or what exactly was taken from the drugstore.

Police didn’t immediately disclose the location of the store that was robbed.

The investigation was ongoing.

The FBI is looking for an O.C. bank robbery suspect who wears black and white sneakers

Posted on March 7, 2022 by Editor Posted in Banking, Costa Mesa, Crime, FBI, Fullerton, Los Angeles County, Orange County Leave a comment

The FBI is looking for help from the public to identify a bank robber known as the “Black & White Sneaker Bandit,” due to the shoes he wears during robberies.

He is being sought for at least eight bank robberies in cities of Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa.

It is not clear when the robberies occurred and if the suspect got away with any money. Investigators also have not specified if the suspected robber was armed during the incidents.

Who do you support for the O.C. Board of Supervisors in District 2?

If you know this suspect’s identity, please call the FBI at 310-477-6565.

Riverside man facing felony charges after a fatal hit-and-run crash in Orange County

Posted on January 26, 2022 by Editor Posted in Accidents, Alcohol, Anaheim, Crime, Fullerton, OCDA, Riverside County Leave a comment

Tyler Christian Williams, a 22-year-old Riverside man, is facing several felony charges after a fatal hit-and-run crash on the 91 Freeway, on the border of Anaheim and Fullerton, near Brookhurst Street, on Sunday, Jan. 23.

Williams was driving a 2013 Lincoln west on the 91 Freeway, west of Brookhurst Street, at an unknown speed when he collided into a 2004 Ford, causing the Ford to overturn. Despite that accident Williams kept driving west and then crashed into a 2012 Toyota, according to the CHP.

The driver in the Ford vehicle later died at a hospital after sustaining major injuries. No one was reported to have been injured in the Toyota and Williams also was uninjured.

The identity of the victim has not yet been confirmed by the OC Coroner.

The OCDA is alleging that Williams had a blood-alcohol level of .19, when he caused the two vehicle accidents. That is more than twice the legal limit. An adult male would have to consume at least 5-6 beers to get to a blood-alcohol level of .19.

Williams was charged with felony counts of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08 percent, driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, driving with a blood-alcohol level above .08 percent causing injury and hit-and-run with permanent and serious injury. He was also charged with a misdemeanor for driving on a suspended license. He is also facing sentencing enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury on another victim who survived.

The Costa Mesa police arrested a Fentanyl dealer who also stole several guns

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Editor Posted in Costa Mesa, Crime, Drugs, Fullerton, Guns Leave a comment

Last week, Costa Mesa police officers located an online marketplace advertisement for fentanyl being sold in Costa Mesa. Detectives responded to the advertisement and arranged to meet with the seller. The subject selling the deadly drug also indicated he also had access to guns.

CMPD detectives met with the subject at a motel in the Fullerton area and purchased two ounces of fentanyl. Shortly after the purchase, detectives arrested the man on felony possession for sale of narcotics. He was also found to be in possession of a large amount of cash and a room key to a motel room.

A record check of the arrestee revealed he is on Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS), probation with search and seizure terms, and had two outstanding warrants. Detectives confirmed the key was to a room at the motel where they met him and performed a search of the room.

During the search, detectives found additional fentanyl, 20 morphine pills, a digital scale, numerous firearms, a ballistic vest, over 100 rounds of ammunition, and cash. Detectives recovered approximately three pounds of fentanyl. A subsequent investigation into the firearms revealed they were from a storage unit in a neighboring city belonging to a victim who was unaware of the theft.

Investigations seeking person of interest in a 1980 O.C. cold case

Posted on December 29, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Fullerton, OC Sheriff Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (December 29, 2021): Investigators are looking to identify a person of interest in the 1980 homicide of 15-year-old Kerry Patterson.

Kerry was last seen on June 26, 1980 walking in the area of Parks Junior High School in the 1700 block of Rosecrans Avenue in Fullerton. Investigators believe she was heading toward her home in the 1700 block of Peacock Lane. She was last seen wearing loose-fitting blue pants, white Vans and either a white T-shirt or Hawaiian print blouse. Kerry also was wearing a yellow pendant necklace that said #1.

On December 27, 1980, remains were found in a field near Tonner Canyon and the 57 freeway in Brea. The remains were later identified as Kerry Patterson.

Over the years, investigators have continued to pursue the case and work to establish new leads.

In January 2020, an individual came forward with information about a man believed to be in the area at the time of the Kerry’s disappearance. That individual was able to provide a description and a composite sketch was created.

Investigators are looking to identify this person of interest because it is believed he may have valuable information that may assist in the case.

If anyone can identify this individual or provide any information on Kerry Patterson’s disappearance please contact Investigator Bob Taft at 714-647-7045 or coldcase@ocsheriff.gov. Anonymous tips can be submitted to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

The SAPD seized many guns, ammo and drugs in Garden Grove and Fullerton last week

Posted on December 27, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Fullerton, Gangs, Garden Grove, Guns, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

SAPD Gang Unit detectives, with the assistance of OC Gang Task Force, conducted a follow-up investigation in the City of Garden Grove in reference to a subject wanted for assault with a deadly weapon. Detectives stopped and detained the owner of the residence without incident.

Gang detectives ultimately obtained a search warrant for the residence and located: large amount of narcotics, 12 gauge shotgun, 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun, .38 caliber revolver, Glock .45 semi-automatic pistol & hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

SAPD Gang detectives investigated a convicted felon believed to be in possession of illegal firearms. Detective obtained a search warrant for his residence in the City of Fullerton.

The subject was detained away from his residence and a search warrant was executed. 12 firearms (6 rifles and 6 handguns) and several different calibers of ammunition were recovered from the residence.

SAPD Gang detectives observed three subjects leaving a known gang members residence on probation for firearm violations. Detectives attempted to contact them and all three fled on foot.

One subject reached for his waist area and he was quickly detained. A search of the subject revealed he was in possession of a loaded 9mm semi-automatic ghost gun.

Learn how to pilot a drone courtesy of Fullerton College and the County of Orange

Posted on December 23, 2021 by Editor Posted in Education, Fullerton, Jobs, Orange County Leave a comment

FULLERTON, Calif. (December 23, 2021) – The County of Orange, in partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB) and Fullerton College, is launching the Drone Piloting Program for Orange County youth.

The Drone Piloting Program will be offered to youth ages 16-24 in Orange County along with the County of Orange’s Ready S.E.T. OC Program and includes enrollment in the Fullerton College TECH 150 Basic Piloting Course.

“The Ready S.E.T. OC Program is designed to ensure self-sufficiency and a long-term positive employment outcome by assisting youth in making a successful transition to unsubsidized employment, post-secondary education, military, apprenticeship, or trade placement,” said Chairman Andrew Do, First District Supervisor.

“This is a unique opportunity for youth to learn important piloting skills, safety, flight management, proper care and use for drones, about the National Airspace System, and much more,” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Fourth District Supervisor. “We look forward to partnering with Fullerton College and launching this program.”

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, unmanned Aircraft Systems, or drones, are rapidly becoming a part of everyday lives, quickly increasing in numbers and complexity.

“Drone use is important in a variety of industries, including public safety, real estate, construction, and even patrolling our local natural landscape and beaches,” said Supervisor Katrina Foley, Second District. “I am excited that this new drone piloting program will teach a new generation the skills that help our communities and prepare them for the workforce.”

The Basic Piloting Drone Course is scheduled to begin on January 24, 2022, and will be held at Fullerton College. The course is open to Orange County youth for a fee, and enrollment will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participating Ready S.E.T. OC Youth will be provided with a scholarship to cover the cost of the program.

A virtual orientation will be held via Zoom on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 4 p.m.

“Through this program, youth will be given a chance to discover if drone piloting is the right career path for them,” said Supervisor Don Wagner, Third District. “The job market in this field is expected to expand making the launch of this program come at an opportune time.”

“The Drone Piloting Program is a great example of the County’s efforts to stay apprised of relevant employment opportunities in emerging industries, and then developing programs for our community to meet those needs,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District.

“The Basic Drone piloting course allows participants an opportunity for deeper career exploration in a fast-growing and high demand field,” explained Jay Seidel, Instructor and Program Director of the Fullerton Drone Lab at Fullerton College.

For more information or to register, please contact the OC Business & Economic Recovery Call Center at (714) 480-6500.

The first West Nile Virus positive mosquito sample of the year has been identified in Orange County

Posted on August 12, 2021 by Editor Posted in Disease, Fullerton, Health and Medical, Orange County, Orange County Vector Control District Leave a comment

Orange County’s first West Nile Virus (WNV) positive mosquito samples of the season were identified last week in Fullerton through routine trapping and testing by the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD).

NV positive mosquito samples have been identified in Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside County this year.

St. Louis encephalitis virus (SLEV) was detected in five mosquito pools in Riverside County last week for the first time in 2021.

One human case of WNV was reported two weeks ago from Los Angeles County.

No human infections of WNV or SLEV have been identified so far this season in Orange County.

West Nile virus (WNV) is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States, according to the CDC. It is most commonly spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. Cases of WNV occur during mosquito season, which starts in the summer and continues through fall.

There are no vaccines to prevent or medications to treat WNV in people. Fortunately, most people infected with WNV do not feel sick. About 1 in 5 people who are infected develop a fever and other symptoms. About 1 out of 150 infected people develop a serious, sometimes fatal, illness.

You can reduce your risk of WNV by using insect repellent and wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants to prevent mosquito bites.

Suspect in the mass shooting in Orange charged with 4 counts of murder and 3 counts of attempted murder

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Fullerton, Guns, OCDA, Orange Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A man accused of shooting and killing four people, including a 9-year-old boy, and attempting to kill three more people Wednesday evening after chaining the gates of an Orange business complex closed has been charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. The suspect suffered gunshot wounds after opening fire on two Orange police officers.

Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez, 44, of Fullerton has been charged with four felony counts of murder, one felony count of attempted murder, and two felony counts of attempted murder of a police officer.

Gaxiola has also been charged with four felony enhancements of the personal discharge of a firearm causing death, one felony enhancement of the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury, one felony enhancement of premeditation, one felony enhancement of the personal use of a firearm, one felony enhancement of the personal discharge of a firearm.

Prosecutors are also alleging the special circumstance of multiple murders. Gaxiola is eligible for the death penalty.

On Wednesday, March 31, around 5:34 p.m. a 911 caller reported a man shooting into a business at 202 W. Lincoln Avenue in the City of Orange.

Police arrived minutes later to find the gates to the business’ courtyard had been locked with a bicycle cable-type lock, preventing officers from accessing the property. A man, later identified as Gaxiola, is accused of shooting at the two officers, who returned fire. Gaxiola was wounded.

Officers used bolt cutters to cut the locks and found four people who had been shot to death within the business complex, including a 9-year-old boy. A man and two women were also found dead. A third woman was wounded and taken to a hospital where she remains in critical but stable condition.

The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin. Gaxiola and all the adult victims had both personal and business connections to each other.

Gaxiola remains hospitalized in critical but stable condition. He is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon from his hospital bed with the hearing livestreamed from Department C5.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to investigate the officer-involved shooting that occurred during this incident as is standard with officer-involved shootings and custodial deaths involving the Orange Police Department. The legal conclusions and any relevant body-worn camera footage will be published on the District Attorney’s website at www.orangecountyda.org once the investigation is completed.

“Our hearts are shattered into a million pieces as the community mourns the loss of four innocent lives, including a young boy, as a result of the horrific events that unfolded Wednesday evening and we pray for the recovery of the sole survivor,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “The taking of the life of another human being is the most serious of crimes and the slaughter of multiple people while they were essentially locked in a shooting gallery is nothing short of terrifying. We ask our sworn police officers to answer calls for help and race into dangerous situations. Thankfully the police officers who answered the call that day escaped injury. The residents of Orange County can rest assured that the District Attorney’s Office is taking every possible step to ensure that every aspect of this case and the subsequent officer-involved shooting is thoroughly reviewed and that justice will be served for each and every victim.”

Senior Deputy District Attorney Mena Guirguis of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.

Fullerton man identified as the suspect in yesterday’s mass shooting in Orange

Posted on April 1, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Fullerton, Guns, Orange 8 Comments

Aminadab Gaxiola Gonzalez, a 44-year-old resident of Fullerton, has been identified as the suspect who allegedly conducted a mass shooting in Orange yesterday that resulted in the deaths of a man, two women and a a 9-year-old boy at an Orange business complex. The 9-year-old is believed to be the son of one of the victims who worked at the business. The child apparently died in his mother’s arms.

Gonzalez was shot in the head and hand and remained hospitalized in critical but stable condition on Thursday. Gonzales is believed to have been injured when Orange police officers fired their weapons at him as they responded to the shooting incident however it is also possible that he shot himself.

If convicted, Gonzalez would be eligible for the death penalty, according to OCDA Todd Spitzer, who has said that this will be treated as a special circumstance case.

The Orange Police Department stated that the attack was not a random one. All of the victims knew the suspect through either a business or personal relationship. The shooting happened at two business suites belonging to Unified Homes, a real estate business that specializes in mobile homes. The shooting was reportedly inside one of the multiple business suites in the building but spread to a courtyard area.

Police officers found a backpack they believe belonged to the suspect that contained pepper spray, handcuffs and ammunition.

Orange police officers were called at around 5:30 p.m. because of shots fired at a business at 202 W. Lincoln Avenue.

When the Orange police officers arrived at the scene, they found that the front and back wrought iron gates had been locked from the inside, with a bicycle-type cable lock, which meant they were not able to get into the premises in order to get to engage the suspect. The suspect shot at the responding police officers and they returned fire, from outside the gate.

The identities of the victims were not released because authorities are still working to notify the next of kin. Relatives with questions about loved ones who may have been victims of the shooting should contact the Orange Police Department.

Update from the Orange Police Dept. as of 3:00 p.m:

Reference the 9-1-1 calls and officer response time: We received five initial 9-1-1 calls. The first caller to OPD Dispatch was at 5:34:51 in which a male was reported to be shooting into a building across the street. The first Orange Police Officer on scene was at 5:36 p.m., which was under two minutes. Shots were reported to have been fired by officers within minutes of their arrival.

Regarding the suspect: Investigators have established the suspect arrived at the location in a rental car which has been located in the parking lot of 202 W. Lincoln Ave. The suspect is believed to have been living out of a motel in Anaheim.

We have obtained video footage from inside the business location which shows the suspect inside. The video is not available for release at this time, however a still image is available. The Orange County Crime Lab is currently at the location processing the scene. The identities of the victims are not yet confirmed. We will provide the identity of the victims as soon as they are available. We feel for the families who believe their loved ones may be one of the victims. Investigators will remain on scene throughout the day and likely into the night until the investigation is complete by the Orange County Crime Lab and the Orange County Coroner’s Office. The identities of the victims will be released in collaboration with the Orange County Coroner’s Office as soon as the information becomes available.

If anyone has any information about the incident, please call Orange Police Department at 714-744-7444.

The SAPD tracked a convicted gun dealer down to Buena Park and seized several guns and drugs

Posted on February 19, 2021 by Editor Posted in buena park, Crime, Drugs, Fullerton, Guns, Santa Ana, SAPD Leave a comment

While serving a warrant, in the City of Buena Park, to a convicted felon wanted for selling firearms in the city of Santa Ana, Gang Detectives attempted to detain the suspect outside his residence.

The suspect fled from the police detectives in his vehicle. A loaded AK-47 with an extended magazine and approximately 12 ounces of methamphetamine were recovered from the residence.

Detectives located the suspect in the City of Buena Park driving a vehicle, and a firearm and narcotics were recovered.

While conducting a follow-up investigation for the manufacturing of firearms, SAPD MET police detectives were led to a residence in the City of Fullerton where two loaded firearms were recovered.

In related news, about two hours ago, SAPD MET Detectives conducted a traffic stop & the driver admitted to being in possession of narcotics.

Upon a search of his person, a loaded semi-auto handgun was located. During a search of the vehicle over a pound of narcotics and a significant amount of money was recovered.

The O.C. inmate who died of COVID-19 this week was accused of killing his mother

Posted on January 22, 2021 by Editor Posted in Crime, Disease, Fullerton, OC Sheriff, Santa Ana Leave a comment

The O.C. inmate who died at the O.C. Jail intake center this week was Ah Le Fang, a 37-year-old man, who was in jail while he was awaiting trial on charges of killing his mother and wounding her boyfriend in 2017.

Fang died on Thursday of medical complications after testing positive last month for COVID-19, according to the O.C. Sheriff’s Department. Fang tested positive for COVID-19 in December and was hospitalized on Jan. 6. He is the second person incarcerated in Orange County jails to have died of COVID-19.

Fang’s mother called the Fullerton police to report she was being attacked, on Aug. 15, 2017. The responding police officers found her outside her apartment complex at 134 S. Pritchard Ave., suffering from a stab wound to her abdomen. Her boyfriend also had a stab wound to an arm.

Fang’s mother and her boyfriend were taken to a local hospital, where she passed away.

Fang pleaded not guilty way back in 2018 and he was awaiting a jury trial that was scheduled for this July.

The O.C. Sheriff’s Department says that 2,270 Orange County Jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. Currently there are sixty-one O.C. inmates who are dealing with the virus.

In December, an O.C. Superior Court judge ordered Sheriff Barnes to release half of the O.C. inmates after the ACLU filed a lawsuit accusing Barnes of not doing enough to protect medically vulnerable inmates during the pandemic.

O.C. inmate released due to ACLU lawsuit escapes electronic monitoring and is re-arrested

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Editor Posted in Courts, Crime, Fullerton, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Jan. 19, 2021): An inmate ordered released by Orange County Judge Peter Wilson escaped at-home confinement by removing her electronic monitoring device and was re-arrested less than 24 hours later.

The inmate, Sandy Gonzalez, 28 years old, was booked into custody in March 2020 by the Fullerton Police Department for felony armed robbery, shoplifting, possession of a controlled substance, child endangerment and resisting arrest.

Gonzalez was released following a December 11, 2020 court order from Judge Wilson in a lawsuit against the Department from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Judge Wilson’s order required Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes to provide a plan to release half of the inmates in the Orange County Jail due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and ordered the immediate release of Gonzalez and one other individual “to provide the necessary physical distancing and other measures to protect against COVID-19.” Absent the order issued by the judge, Gonzalez would not have otherwise qualified for electronic monitoring based on screening criteria and her extensive criminal history.

Gonzalez was released to the Sheriff’s Department’s Electronic Monitoring Program on December 13, 2020, and was ordered to remain at a specified residence with a GPS-enabled electronic monitoring device. Gonzalez was told that removal of the GPS-device would constitute a jail escape. On January 15, 2021, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Community Work Program and Custody Intelligence Unit overseeing the Electronic Monitoring Program received notification that Gonzalez had removed the electronic monitoring device and fled. The Custody Intelligence Unit launched an immediate investigation to locate Gonzalez and return her to custody.

Less than 24 hours later, the morning of January 16, 2021, investigators located Gonzalez in Long Beach, California. She was apprehended without incident and was returned to the Orange County Jail and booked on a new felony charge of escaping from jail.

“This inmate was in custody for a violent felony of robbery with a firearm, and despite numerous objections was ordered by a judge to be released,” said Sheriff Barnes. “The inmate’s subsequent escape from custody then required a manhunt by numerous personnel to locate her, bring her back into custody and return her to jail, where she should have remained in the first place. The known risks to the community associated with the court ordered release demonstrates a blatant disregard for the public’s safety.”

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sheriff has utilized the discretion available to him during a declared emergency to release more than 1,500 inmates with less than 180 days left on their sentence who pose the lowest risk to the community. In addition, the Department has gone over and above CDC guidelines to mitigate COVID-19 in the Orange County Jail. The Department has mitigated a recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the Orange County Jail from a height of more than 1,200 COVID-19 positive inmates in December 2020 to 139 current cases today.