Yorba Linda, Ca. (Jan. 31, 2024): Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.

On Friday, February 2, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

Distracted driving comes in many forms, but cell phones remain the top distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 due to distracted drivers. A 2018 observational survey by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) found nearly 5 percent of California drivers were using their phone illegally behind the wheel, either by talking on or using their phone without a hands-free device.

In this day and age, it is natural instinct to answer the phone or read a text, but the focus for drivers should be on the road. Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, or reaching for an object on the floor.

If you have an important phone call or need to reprogram your navigation system, pull over to a safe parking place. To resist the urge of using your phone, either silence it or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this distracted driving enforcement operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (Jan. 22, 2024): Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators are seeking the public’s assistance to track down additional victims, witnesses, and information related to a recent arrest of a suspected sexual predator.

On Friday, Jan. 19, 2024, a Sheriff’s Department School Resource Officer assigned to the city of Mission Viejo was dispatched to respond to a substation regarding a minor who had been receiving lewd content from an adult male. Investigators from the Special Victims Detail were called and further investigated the minor’s contact with the adult male.

The suspect, Arian Fabian Ortega, 23, Santa Ana, arranged through a rideshare company to go to the city of Lake Forest to pick up the minor and take her to his apartment in the city of Santa Ana to have sex. Investigators found Ortega waiting for the minor and arrested him.  Ortega was booked into the Orange County Jail on multiple charges related to sexual communication with the intent to seduce a minor for sexual conduct.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

The Sheriff’s Department encourages parents to talk with their children about online safety and the importance of reporting inappropriate communication to a trusted adult. Parents should be mindful of the content within their children’s cell phones, computers, etc.  If a parent believes they need law enforcement assistance, please contact your local police department for support. 

Arian Fabian Ortega, 23

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San Clemente, Ca. (Jan. 22, 2024): Orange County Sheriff’s Department deputies have arrested a man on suspicion of stabbing an 18-year-old male.

At 12:17 a.m. on Jan. 20, deputies were dispatched to the 2000 block of Avenida Del Presidente regarding a report of a stabbing.  On arrival, the deputies located the male victim and immediately began lifesaving measures. 

Orange County Fire Authority rapidly transported the victim to a nearby hospital. The victim suffered a single stab wound to his groin and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.

Later, Saturday, Jan. 20, the suspect, Joshua Guadalupe Garcia, 18, of Santa Ana, was located, taken into custody, and booked on suspicion of murder. A knife was also found; however, further forensic investigations are required to determine if it was the weapon used in the homicide.

The relationship between Garcia and the victim and the reason he attacked him is still under investigation. 

This investigation is ongoing. If anyone knows additional details that may assist investigators, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. 

• Read more about In-custody Death - January 14, 2024

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, an inmate was remanded into Orange County Sheriff’s custody via bedside arraignment at the Orange County Global Medical Center.  On Sunday, January 14, 2024, the inmate died while still receiving medical care and prior to being housed in the Orange County Jail.  The decedent is a 34-year-old white male who was awaiting trial.  The decedent's manner and means of death are awaiting final determination by the Orange County Coroner.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (Jan. 16, 2024): OC Sheriff Special Victims Detail investigators are seeking additional victims after arresting a 36-year-old man in connection with several sexual assaults in the cities of Stanton and Long Beach.   

On Nov. 26, 2023, the suspect attempted to solicit sex from a 19-year-old female victim and subsequently sexually assaulted her. The suspect also reportedly pointed a weapon at the victim and threatened her. The victim provided a suspect description and a description of the suspect’s vehicle.

Through investigative leads and techniques, investigators determined the suspect was also connected with an unsolved sexual assault case from October 2022 in the city of Stanton, as well as an additional unsolved sexual assault case from October 2018 in the city of Long Beach.

On Jan. 9, investigators arrested Sione Mounga Vea, 36, of Anaheim, and booked him into the Orange County Jail on suspicion of multiple felony sexual assault-related charges, kidnapping with sexual assault and assault with a deadly weapon.

Investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information is encouraged to call 714-647-7000. Anonymous tips can be sent to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (Jan. 15, 2024) – On Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, an inmate slated to be housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana died at a local hospital.

The 34-year-old male was hospitalized on Jan. 9 due to injuries sustained in a traffic collision following a pursuit with the Santa Ana Police Department. Santa Ana Police Officers initiated the vehicle stop on the male suspect who was believed to be in possession of a stolen motorcycle. He was arrested by Santa Ana PD and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The male inmate received a bedside arraignment on January 11; afterwards, the Sheriff’s Department took over custody of the inmate at the hospital. The inmate’s name is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

The inmate was pronounced deceased at the hospital due to the injuries he sustained in the traffic collision.

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.  

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MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (Jan. 12, 2024): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the community’s assistance to provide additional information about a fatal traffic collision in Mission Viejo.

On Friday, Jan. 5, at approximately 10:30 p.m. a pedestrian was killed in the area of Alicia Parkway and Jeronimo Road.  Deputies were dispatched to the area for a traffic collision between two vehicles.  The 26-year-old female victim, who was standing near one of the vehicles at the time of the traffic collision, was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Orange County Fire Authority.

The drivers of both vehicles remained at the scene and neither alcohol nor narcotics were determined to be a factor in the traffic collision.  The Sheriff’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) responded to handle the investigation.  At this time, no arrest has been made, but the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone knows additional details that may assist investigators, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at 949-425-1887 or 949-425-1860. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. 

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Stanton, Ca. (January 17, 2023): – The Sheriff’s Department will take part in a bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement operation aimed at educating bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians on traffic laws, rules, and responsibilities.

On Friday, January 19, deputies will be looking for violations made by bicyclists, drivers and pedestrians that put roadway users at risk. These violations include drivers speeding, making illegal turns, failing to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, failing to stop for signs and signals or any other dangerous violation.

Deputies will also look for pedestrians who cross the street illegally or fail to yield to drivers who have the right of way. Bike riders will be stopped when riding on the wrong side of the road, not complying with stop signs and signals, or other violation of the same traffic laws that apply to them as drivers.

Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities are rising at an alarming rate. In 2016, 138 bicyclists and 867 pedestrians were killed on California roads. Pedestrian fatalities are up nearly 33 percent from 2012, and the number of bicyclists killed are up nearly 25 percent over the past five years.

People walking should only cross the street using crosswalks or intersections, preferably with a stop sign or signal. People on foot should also look for cars backing up and avoid darting between parked cars, make eye contact with drivers and wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials or use a flashlight at night.

Drivers should wait for pedestrians to cross the street, avoid distractions like using a cell phone, and be courteous and patient. All bike riders are reminded to always wear a helmet; helmets are required by law for those under 18. Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow moving vehicle.

The Sheriff’s Department supports the new OTS public awareness campaign, “Go Safely, California.” To find out more about ways to go safely, visit gosafelyca.org.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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San Juan Capistrano, Ca. (January 10, 2024): Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.

On Thursday, January 11, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

Distracted driving comes in many forms, but cell phones remain the top distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 due to distracted drivers. A 2018 observational survey by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) found nearly 5 percent of California drivers were using their phone illegally behind the wheel, either by talking on or using their phone without a hands-free device.

In this day and age, it is natural instinct to answer the phone or read a text, but the focus for drivers should be on the road. Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, or reaching for an object on the floor.

If you have an important phone call or need to reprogram your navigation system, pull over to a safe parking place. To resist the urge of using your phone, either silence it or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this distracted driving enforcement operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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San Clemente, Ca. (January 18, 2024): Distracted driving is a dangerous and illegal behavior the Sheriff’s Department is working to deter drivers from doing.

On Saturday, January 20, deputies will focus their efforts on drivers that are talking, texting, using an app or any other action on their phone that is not hands-free and violates California’s cell phone law. A violation is subject to a $162 fine for the first offense, and at least $285 for a second offense.

Distracted driving comes in many forms, but cell phones remain the top distraction. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,450 people were killed in 2016 due to distracted drivers. A 2018 observational survey by Fresno State and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) found nearly 5 percent of California drivers were using their phone illegally behind the wheel, either by talking on or using their phone without a hands-free device.

In this day and age, it is natural instinct to answer the phone or read a text, but the focus for drivers should be on the road. Other distractions include eating, grooming, talking to passengers, using GPS, adjusting the radio, taking off a jacket, or reaching for an object on the floor.

If you have an important phone call or need to reprogram your navigation system, pull over to a safe parking place. To resist the urge of using your phone, either silence it or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this distracted driving enforcement operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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