San Clemente, CA. (August 11, 2023): On Sunday, August 13, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies at San Clemente’s 68th Annual Music Festival educating the public on how to monitor their alcohol intake and “Know Your Limit.”

The “Know Your Limit” program is intended to raise awareness about the dangers of drinking and driving, and how little it takes to reach the legal limit to drive a vehicle. It is illegal for anyone 21 or older to drive with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher.

The “Know Your Limit” campaign will be from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. within the 100 and 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar in the city of San Clemente.  

During this time, deputies will ask patrons how many drinks they have consumed and whether they believe it is safe to drive. Deputies will then invite volunteers to take a breathalyzer test to see if they are able to guess their blood alcohol content (BAC). Deputies will provide information on the impacts of alcohol on one’s ability to drive, and the consequences of a DUI.

“The goal is to help people understand the effects of alcohol so they can make smart decisions about how they get home,” Sergeant John Hopkins said. “It only takes a single drink to impair, and that’s why it is important people know their limit.”

A person’s height, weight, food intake, drug and/or medication use and how much they drink over a time period are all factors that affect their BAC. According to the California Driver Handbook, it takes two drinks consumed within one hour by a woman between 120-160 pounds and three drinks by a man between 180-220 pounds to be over the legal limit. One drink is based on 1.5 oz. of liquor (40% alcohol), 12 oz. of beer (4.5% alcohol) or a 5 oz. glass of wine (12% alcohol). The BAC lowers at a rate of .01% for every 40 minutes between drinks.

The average cost of a first-time DUI offense is approximately $13,500, accounting for vehicle impound fees, fines, attorney fees, auto insurance hikes and other penalties. Plan ahead and avoid the risk of a DUI by designating a sober driver.

Funding for the “Know Your Limit” program 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. (August 8, 2023): – The Sheriff’s Department will enhance its substance use prevention program and narcotics enforcement efforts thanks to Chairman Donald P. Wagner’s additional funding approved at Tuesday’s Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting.

Chairman Wagner brought forward the item to allocate $1.7 million to support the department’s work in confronting the fentanyl crisis in Orange County.

“Fentanyl is at a crisis point in this State. While Sacramento refuses to address the issue, I will continue to be proactive in the fight against fentanyl,” said Wagner. “This funding to educate our youth and prevent drugs from coming into our community will save lives.”

The funding will support an additional deputy for Above the Influence, a six-week program for fifth and sixth grade students that aims to equip youth with the tools they need to prevent substance experimentation and substance use disorders.

The OC Sheriff Community Engagement Team, which currently is comprised of two deputies and a sergeant, runs Above the Influence and other drug education and prevention events in the county. 

Last year, 37 Orange County schools participated in Above the Influence and more than 3,000 students graduated the program. The Community Engagement Team also conducted fentanyl awareness assemblies and parent seminars, reaching more than 21,000 students and more than 1,200 parents.

Approximately $1.3 million of the funding will provide a third deputy to teach Above the Influence and participate in additional drug prevention activities for the next five years. 

“Education and prevention remain our greatest resources in protecting our children from substance experimentation and substance use disorders,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “I am grateful for the opportunity this funding from Chairman Wagner provides to expand this important program and effectively reach more students. The work of the Community Engagement Team undoubtedly saves lives.”

The remaining funding – approximately $400,000 – is earmarked for enhancements for the Highway Interdiction Team (HIT), which works to interrupt the trafficking of narcotics, firearms and other contraband into Orange County.

In FY ‘22-‘23 HIT deputies made 18 felony arrests, confiscated more than 182,000 fentanyl pills and recovered more than $2.3 million in currency.

The additional funding from Chairman Wagner will provide:

• An additional HIT vehicle and drug detection K-9.
• Equipment to more efficiently and effectively locate concealed narcotics, firearms and other contraband.
• TruNarc, which provides on-site analysis of narcotics and unknown substances.   

“HIT, along with all of our OC Sheriff narcotics teams, are relentless in their pursuit of holding traffickers accountable and keeping drugs out of our communities,” Barnes said. “Fighting the narcotics epidemic takes a multi-faceted approach that includes enforcement, education and rehabilitative programs. I am extremely proud of the work we are doing on all fronts, and look forward to the impact we will see from the expansion of these essential teams.”

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 31, 2023): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department – Coroner Division is requesting assistance to identify a decedent, referred to at this time as Jane Doe, found on May 26, 2023, at 4:52 p.m. in the city of Irvine. 

Jane Doe was located deceased on the sidewalk near Mark Dailey Athletic Field at 308 East Yale Loop. She appears to be a Hispanic or Asian female, estimated to be between the ages of 45-60 years-old. She is 5 foot 8 inches tall and weighs 124 pounds. She has black medium-length curly hair, brown eyes, and natural dentition. She does not have any significant scars, marks, or tattoos. She may have been experiencing homelessness at the time of her death, and her cause of death is pending.

Orange County Sheriff’s investigators have released a forensic rendering, shown below, of the decedent Jane Doe in an effort to identify the woman.

Anyone with information relating to her identity is asked to call the Coroner Division at 714-647-7400 and reference case number 23-03133-BK.

Midway City, Ca. (July 28, 2023): Today, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department released a Critical Incident Video depicting the deputy-involved shooting that occurred in Midway City, Ca., on June 14, 2023.

The Critical Incident Video is available for viewing below.

In order to foster greater public trust with the community we serve, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will publish Critical Incident Videos about incidents in which the actions of department members in the performance of their duties are likely to have a significant impact on the Department, community, citizens, or any other person, and/or incidents involving the use of deadly force or force resulting in serious physical injury.

Critical Incident Videos offer a clear and concise overview of the incident with relevant video, audio, photographs and information to give context to what occurred preceding, during and immediately after a critical incident. The videos will contain the factual circumstances as they are known at the time. No conclusions will be drawn about whether or not deputies acted in a manner consistent with our policies, and in accordance with the law, until all facts are known and the investigations are complete.

Per protocol, the investigation of the deputy-involved shooting will be handled by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

SANTA ANA, Ca. (July 19, 2023): At 3:41 p.m. on July 18, 2023, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 9000 block of Canton Avenue in the unincorporated area within the city Anaheim reference a male who had been stabbed in the street. Upon arrival, deputies located a 50-year-old man, of Anaheim, inside a nearby residence with stab wounds. Deputies rendered medical aid, and he was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau responded to investigate. At this time, the name of the victim is being withheld while the Orange County Coroner completes their notifications.

Two search warrants were served, and at 1:00 a.m. on July 19, Effrum Maland Burnett, 52, of Yorba Linda, was arrested and later booked into Orange County Jail on suspicion of homicide. Multiple weapons were recovered; however, further investigations remain to determine if they were involved in the incident.

The investigation into this case continues and anyone with information is encouraged to contact OC Sheriff Homicide investigators at 714-647-7000 or submit anonymous information through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS. 

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• Read more about In-Custody Death- July 11, 2023

On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, an Orange County Jail inmate housed at the Central Men’s Jail in Module F died at Orange County Global Medical Center, Santa Ana. The decedent is a 50-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. (July 12, 2023) – On Tuesday, July 11, 2023, an inmate housed at the Men’s Central Jail in Santa Ana died at a local hospital.

The 50-year-old inmate was booked into jail on July 6, 2023, by the Huntington Beach Police Department for several outstanding arrests warrants.  The inmate’s name is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.

The inmate was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred there on the morning of July 11 for a medical issue. 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.  

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (July 12, 2023): Orange County Sheriff’s Department investigators are seeking the public’s assistance to track down additional information and witnesses in the January 14 homicide of 30-year-old Jorge Marvin Guadarrama.

At 5:21 p.m. on January 14, Orange County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the 2600 block of Calle San Luis in the city of San Juan Capistrano for unknown trouble. Upon arrival, deputies found a 30-year-old man in the area with a stab wound.

The victim, Jorge Marvin Guadarrama, was pronounced deceased at the scene. A suspect fled the location prior to deputies' arrival. The suspect is described as a male Hispanic with a thin build wearing jeans and a black-hooded sweatshirt.

Homicide investigators are actively seeking additional information in this case. If anyone has any information that may assist the investigation, 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.

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (12 de julio de 2023): Los investigadores del Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Orange buscan la ayuda del público para localizar información adicional y testigos en el homicidio del 14 de enero de Jorge Marvin Guadarrama, de 30 años.

A las 17:21 el 14 de enero, agentes del alguacil del condado de Orange fueron enviados a la cuadra 2600 de la calle San Luis en la ciudad de San Juan Capistrano por problemas desconocidos. Al llegar, los agentes encontraron a un hombre de 30 años en el área con una herida de arma blanca.

La víctima, Jorge Marvin Guadarrama, fue declarado muerto en el lugar. Un sospechoso huyó del lugar antes de la llegada de los agentes. El sospechoso fue descrito como un hombre hispano de complexión delgada que vestía jeans y una sudadera negra con capucha.

Los investigadores de homicidios están buscando activamente información adicional en este caso. Si alguien tiene información que pueda ayudar en la investigación, se le pide que se comunique con el Departamento del Sheriff del Condado de Orange al (714) 647-7000. Se puede proporcionar información anónima a través de Crime Stoppers del Condado de Orange en 1-855-TIP-OCCS.

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Lake Forest, Ca. (July 18, 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 Thursday, July 20, 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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