New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Theo Lacy Jail

A man arrested on molestation charges died at Theo Lacy

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Editor Posted in Cochino Alert, Crime, Irvine, OC Sheriff Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (April 19, 2022) – On Saturday, April 16, 2022, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at the hospital.

The inmate, Larry Esquivel, 61, of Irvine, was booked into jail on September 21, 2020, by the Irvine Police Department for child molestation charges.

The man was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred to the hospital for a medical procedure. His death does not appear to be suspicious. A final cause of death will be determined following toxicology and an independent autopsy.

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.

An Anaheim man overdosed at the Theo Lacy jail

Posted on October 21, 2021 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Crime, OC Sheriff, Orange County, Santa Ana Leave a comment

SANTA ANA, Ca. (October 20, 2021) – On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died of a suspected overdose.

The inmate was booked into jail on October 18, 2021, on a parole violation. In the early morning, he was found unresponsive in his cell.

Medical attention was provided by deputies and corrections medical staff.

The inmate was pronounced deceased by paramedics at the Theo Lacy Facility. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances.

The decedent was identified as Ryan Forney, 32, of Anaheim.

Editor’s Note – Forney was mentioned in a 2013 article by the O.C. Register regarding a fire in Placentia. At the time he was an aspiring firefighter enrolled in the fire academy at Santa Ana College. He saved a dog trapped in the backyard of a home that was on fire.

Man arrested for using a drone to try to smuggle drugs into the Theo Lacy Jail

Posted on September 16, 2021 by Editor Posted in Costa Mesa, Drugs, Guns, OC Sheriff, Orange, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (Sept. 16, 2021) The Custody Intelligence Unit (CIU) on Tuesday, Sept. 14, arrested a man suspected of using a drone in an attempt to smuggle drugs into the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.

CIU investigators were advised of a drone carrying narcotics that landed in an outdoor recreation area of the jail. The drone was carrying 2 grams of heroin, 4 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 15 Xanax pills and approximately 15 muscle relaxers.

Through their investigation, the CIU identified a possible suspect in the city of Costa Mesa and obtained a search warrant for the man’s residence. During their search, investigators confiscated numerous illegal firearms, fentanyl and a controller determined to pair with the drone that landed at Theo Lacy.

The suspect also was found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle and had been renting his residence using fraudulent identification. Investigators also recovered materials determined to be associated with identify theft and fraudulent criminal activity in the man’s residence.

Chey Cody Smart, 43, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of multiple felony drug and firearms charges, along with grand theft. He was booked into the Orange County Jail on Sept. 14. It also was determined Smart had a warrant for his arrest issued by Mendocino County, California for felony weapons charges.

“The Custody Intelligence Unit is extremely proactive in intercepting narcotics attempting to come into our jails,” said Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “They have adopted an investigative strategy that includes locating the outside entities attempting to bring narcotics into our facilities, and this case is a great example of that work. We will continue to stay diligent in keeping those entrusted to our custody and care safe, and we will hold accountable those who attempt to threaten that safety.”

An inmate died at the Theo Lacy Facility and suicide is suspected

Posted on November 13, 2020 by Editor Posted in Anaheim, Santa Ana Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (November 13, 2020) –A 35-year old male inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died yesterday at approximately 2 p.m. of a suspected suicide.

The man was booked into the Orange County Jail by the Anaheim Police Department on Nov. 10, 2020, on multiple charges including lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, sodomy and assault to commit rape.

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.

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.

An inmate facing drug charges died at the Theo Lacy jail this morning

Posted on February 11, 2020 by Editor Posted in Crime, Drugs, OC Sheriff, Orange, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE, Ca. (February 11, 2020) –At approximately 10:40 a.m. on Feb. 11, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. The inmate, a 34-year old man, was transferred to the hospital the morning of Feb. 7 due to medical issues. There does not appear at this time to be anything suspicious regarding his death.

The inmate was booked into Orange County Jail on Jan. 25, 2020, to serve time for drug-related charges.

OC Sheriff Hutchens responds to complaints about Theo Lacy Jail

Posted on March 9, 2017 by Editor Posted in Crime, immigration, Orange County, Public Safety, Santa Ana 1 Comment

Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens Responds to Homeland Security Report

Yesterday, a report was released concerning the Theo Lacy Jail. Several things in the report were not accurate and did a disservice to the hard working individuals who operate our custody facilities. Unfortunately, some media outlets choose to cover the report in a sensational manner that painted a misleading “Shawshank-like” picture of Orange County jail facilities.

The report was based on an inspection done by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General in November 2016. Some legitimate issues were identified in the report and were quickly addressed. Many of the other issues raised were inaccurate and can be refuted. In an effort to provide the public with transparency and a more accurate account of our operations, I have itemized the concerns raised in the report and provided our response (see below). Continue reading→

O.C. Gangbanger who snitched on the Mexican Mafia gets a lighter sentence

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Editor Posted in Crime, Gangs, OCDA, Orange County Leave a comment

ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY PRESS RELEASE

Case # 07WF0153

Date: March 4, 2016

GANG MEMBER WHO WORKED AS FEDERAL INFORMANT SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS IN PRISON FOR BEING PAROLEE IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM

SANTA ANA, Calif. – A gang member who worked as a federal informant was sentenced today to 21 years in state prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm in public. Fernando Jose Perez, also known as Inmate F, 34, Theo Lacy Jail, was found guilty by a jury on March 9, 2009, of one felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon with sentencing enhancements for crime-bail-crime, criminal street gang activity, and three prior strike convictions for possession of a firearm while on probation and street terrorism in 2000, being an active gang participant having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, gang member carrying a loaded firearm in public, possession of a firearm while on probation and street terrorism in 2001, and receiving and possessing stolen property and street terrorism in 2002, all in Orange County. He faced a maximum of 42 years to life in state prison.

On Aug. 3, 2015, the defense field a “Romero” motion, in which the judge can dismiss past strike allegations set forth in the complaint in order to sentence the defendant to less time in prison, in furtherance of justice. Continue reading→

Inmate badly beaten in a fight at Theo Lacy Jail

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Editor Posted in Crime, Orange, Orange County, Westminster Leave a comment

NEWS, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Lt. Jeff Hallock, 714.904.7042, JHallock@ocsd.org

Physical Altercation Involving Inmates at Theo Lacy Jail

UPDATE – (December 17, 2014): The inmate victim, Thiep Truong Nguyen, 49, Westminster, has died at a local hospital.

ORANGE, Calif. – (December 16, 2014) – On Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at approximately 11:57 a.m.; a physical altercation occurred between two inmates at the Theo Lacy Jail. The altercation occurred between a 39 year-old male and a 49 year-old male who were housed together at the jail.

Following the altercation, deputies immediately responded and located the 49 year-old male victim, unconscious inside the cell. Orange County Jail medical staff and paramedics were called and the injured inmate victim was transported to a nearby hospital. The injured inmate victim is listed in extremely critical condition as a result of his injuries. Continue reading→