ORANGE, Ca. (Jan. 13, 2025) – On Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, an inmate housed in the Correctional Medical Services wing of a local hospital died.
42-year-old James Rudolph Jones III was booked into jail on Jan. 11, 2025, by the Buena Park Police Department for a probation violation.
During the booking process, it was determined Jones needed to be transported to the hospital for further medical treatment. On Jan. 12, at approximately 11:57 a.m., Jones was pronounced deceased. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances. A final cause of death will be determined following an independent autopsy and toxicology.
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.
Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca. (Jan. 29, 2025): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Jan. 31, from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita.
DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with deputies checking drivers for proper licensing.
The Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
In 2019, 1,066 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads.
The Sheriff’s Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:
Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.
Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (Jan. 1, 2025) On Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025, at approximately 1:43 a.m., Orange County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to an injury traffic collision near the intersection of Marguerite Parkway and Pueblonuevo Drive in the city of Mission Viejo. Deputies arrived and discovered a Chevrolet Malibu and a Toyota Camry had been involved in a head-on collision.
Based on the preliminary investigation, it appears the Chevrolet Malibu was driving the wrong way in southbound lanes of Marguerite Parkway and collided with the Toyota Camry head-on. The adult female driver of the Camry was transported by paramedics to a local area hospital where she was pronounced deceased. The driver and a passenger of the Chevrolet Malibu were also transported to a local area hospital to be treated for injuries related to the collision.
The driver of the Chevrolet Malibu, Geraldine Caicedo-Perez, 26 years old, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and booked into the Orange County Jail for CPC 191.5(a) – Gross Vehicular Manslaughter.
The identity of the victim, a female in her 60s, is being withheld pending the Coroner Division’s next of kin notification.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) is investigating the collision. If anyone has additional details that may assist investigators, or witnessed this traffic collision, they are asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department’s Traffic Bureau at 949-425-1860. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
ALISO VIEJO, Ca. (Dec. 31, 2024): Captain Ryan Buhr has been selected as the new Chief of Aliso Viejo Police Services. He began his new assignment Friday, Dec. 27.
“I look forward to serving alongside the men and women who remain dedicated to providing exceptional policing services to the city of Aliso Viejo,” Captain Buhr said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to bring my experience and leadership to contribute to this dynamic and hardworking team.”
Captain Buhr joined the Sheriff’s Department In 2004 and served in a variety of roles as a deputy, including working in custody, on patrol in the city of Lake Forest and as a K-9 handler and team leader. In November 2017, he promoted to investigator where he was assigned to the South Narcotics Investigations team.
Captain Buhr earned the rank of sergeant in January 2022 and was first assigned to supervising deputies at the Theo Lacy Facility. He worked as the training sergeant, developing briefing and patrol training curriculum.
He then served as a patrol sergeant in Laguna Hills before being assigned as the North Directed Enforcement Team (North DET) supervisor. As the North DET sergeant, Captain Buhr was responsible for working cases involving career criminals and violent offenders and addressing specific community concerns. He also served as the Sheriff’s Department’s subject matter expert on burglary tourism, presenting to various state and federal leaders.
Most recently, Captain Buhr served as a lieutenant with the Custody Operations Division, managing day-to-day operations in the jail facilities.
Captain Buhr has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and numerous accreditations in a variety of law enforcement disciplines, including narcotics and specialized supervisory and incident command systems certifications.
When not working, Captain Buhr enjoys spending time with his family, camping, golfing and supporting his children’s sports.
ORANGE, Ca. (Dec. 30, 2024) – On Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died.
45-year-old Anthony Creston Brown of Cerritos was booked into jail on Dec. 27, 2024, by the La Palma Police Department on a warrant out of Los Angeles County for CPC 484 – Theft. Another booking charge of CPC 4573.8 – Possessing Drugs/Paraphernalia in Prison/Jail was added by La Palma PD during the booking process.
On the afternoon of Dec. 29, Brown was found unresponsive in his cell. Deputies and correctional medical staff attempted life-saving measures. Brown was pronounced deceased at the Theo Lacy Facility at approximately 4:31 p.m. Preliminarily, there are no suspicious circumstances. A final cause of death will be determined following an independent autopsy and toxicology.
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.
In August of 2017, a deputy was involved in a use of force at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana. The use of force was determined to be outside of policy with policy violations addressed and discipline issued.
Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.
In March of 2017, a deputy was involved in a use of force at the Central Women's Jail in Santa Ana. The use of force was determined to be outside of policy with policy violations addressed and discipline issued.
Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.
STANTON, Ca. (Dec. 21, 2024): On Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, at approximately 4:19 p.m., deputies responded to the area of Orangewood Ave and Court Street in the city of Stanton on reports of a shooting that had just occurred.
When deputies arrived, they located one adult male with a gunshot wound inside a vehicle on Court Street. That victim, identified as Jonathan Alexis Jimenez, 18, of Stanton, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
A second adult male, located in the same vehicle, was treated at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries related to the shooting.
Last night, several subjects were detained at the scene while the Sheriff’s Homicide and Gang Enforcement Team (GET) are continuing to investigate.
The Sheriff’s Department is asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS, or online at www.ocsheriff.gov/occrimestoppers.
SANTA ANA, Ca. (Dec. 18, 2024): Please see the message below from Sheriff Don Barnes regarding the commencement of Proposition 36.
“Last month Californians passed Proposition 36, the Homeless, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, with nearly 70% of the vote. The ballot measure received a strong majority of the vote in all 58 counties and takes effect today, December 18th.
“Proposition 36 focuses on rampant theft, the fentanyl epidemic, and addiction-related homelessness. This provides law enforcement with an opportunity to further protect our community against the impact of poor public policy. Key provisions eligible for enforcement include:
Theft -Offenders with two prior convictions for theft can be charged with a felony, regardless of the value of the stolen property. -Law enforcement can now combine the value of stolen property across multiple thefts to meet the $950 felony threshold. -“Smash and Grabs” are addressed with enhanced penalties for theft, damage, or destruction exceeding $50,000 and enhanced penalties for theft or damage of property when two or more are acting together.
Fentanyl Trafficking -Trafficking of fentanyl in high quantities results in state prison and enhanced penalties. -Known as “Alexandra’s Law,” convicted hard drug dealers are advised that if their trafficking leads to death, they could face murder charges. -Fentanyl is added to an existing list of hard drugs for which it is illegal to possess the drug while armed with a loaded firearm.
Mandated Treatment -Creates a "treatment-mandated felony" that provides prosecutors with the discretion to charge a felony for hard drug possession after two previous drug convictions. -Those charged with a "treatment-mandated felony" are given the option of participating in drug and mental health treatment. -Successful completion of treatment results in charges being fully expunged. -Offenders who refuse drug and mental health treatment would serve jail time.
“Many of the solutions included in Proposition 36 were attempted repeatedly over the last ten years through bipartisan legislation. However, the proposals were regularly blocked by the Assembly and Senate Public Safety Committees. This inaction on emerging problems like fentanyl has had tragic consequences. Now, where state leaders have failed, the people have acted. As Sheriff, I look forward to working with our criminal justice partners to honor the people’s choice for a balanced public safety system.
“Ultimately the decision to engage in criminal behavior is always the choice of each individual. For too long those who made the wrong choice faced minimal consequences for their actions. Now, Proposition 36 makes clear that making the decision to commit crime will be met with accountability. This proven approach uses both compassion and commonsense to a make our state safer and a more just place for all Californians.”
