SANTA ANA, Ca. (Oct. 5, 2022): Two men were arrested today in connection with multiple burglaries committed across Southern California since January 2022. The two, along with two additional suspects already in custody on related charges, are suspected of committing residential burglaries in Orange, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Riverside counties and were arrested today by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
Two men arrested today, Nehemiah Robinson, 34, of Los Angeles, and Mark Draughan, 23, of Los Angeles, have been booked into Orange County Jail on burglary, conspiracy and child endangerment charges related to multiple crimes that occurred in Orange County.
The two men already in custody are Jeremy Manning, 25, of Anaheim, and Dejonn Kirk, 27, of Compton.
“This sends a clear message to criminals looking to take advantage of Orange County residents – We will find you, arrest you, and hold you accountable for the crimes you commit,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “Our top priority is to keep homes, property, businesses, and residents safe. These arrests are just one example of the hard work done every day by the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to bring criminals to justice.”
Residents are reminded to take preventative steps to deter criminals from crimes of opportunity. Information on simple preventative steps, including an information card in English and Spanish, can be found on our Stay Safe OC website here- https://ocsheriff.gov/community/stay-safe-oc/property-crimes.
Mission Viejo, Ca. (Oct. 5, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Oct. 7, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Mission Viejo.
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.
Unincorporated Anaheim, Ca. (September 30, 2022): Ricardo Martin Campos, 31, was arrested for murder related to a 2019 homicide in the unincorporated Anaheim community. Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Detail secured an arrest warrant for Campos on September 26, 2022. Campos was arrested in Houston, Texas on September 28.
Just after 9:30 p.m. on May 14, 2019, deputies responded to an unknown trouble in the 8400 block of Augusta Drive in unincorporated Anaheim. Deputies found Eli Gamaliel Victoriano-Che, 28, inside a motorhome, suffering from a gunshot wound. Victoriano-Che was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Over the last three years, Homicide Investigators have worked on identifying who was responsible for this murder. Through their hard work, additional information was discovered which resulted in the securing of an arrest warrant for murder.
“This arrest showcases the dedication the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department have to bringing those responsible for violent crimes to justice,” Sheriff Don Barnes said. “The Sheriff’s Department is committed to bringing to justice those who do harm to our community, no matter how long it takes.”
Campos is currently awaiting extradition to Orange County.
SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 30, 2022) – On Thursday, September 29, 2022, aninmate housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana died at the hospital.
The inmate, Margarita Luna, 44, was booked into jail on September 11, 2022 by the Costa Mesa Police Department for grand theft.
Luna was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred to the hospital for a medical issue on September 28, 2022. 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.
Aliso Viejo, Ca. (September 22, 2022): Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail arrested Jose Farias, 29, of San Juan Capistrano, on Wednesday, September 21, for battery.
Farias was employed as a phlebotomist at a medical laboratory in Aliso Viejo when the assaults occurred. On August 29, an 18-year-old female reported she was assaulted in a sexual manner by Farias while giving blood. She contacted the Sheriff’s Department to report the incident. On Tuesday, September 20, a 30-year-old woman reported she was assaulted in the same manner by Farias while giving blood at the laboratory.
Due to Farias’ access to patients who came for blood draws, investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking the for the public’s help. He was booked into Orange County Jail on September 21.
Anyone with information regarding possible additional victims or with information they believe may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7419, or submit an anonymous tip to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.
ORANGE, Ca. (September 2, 2022) – On Thursday, September 1, 2022, aninmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at the hospital.
The 57-year-old inmate was booked into jail on August 27, 2022, by the Anaheim Police Department for a probation violation. The inmate’s name is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.
The inmate was found unresponsive in his cell by jail staff on September 1, 2022. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. 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.
SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 16, 2022): During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will help parents and caregivers with installing child safety seats.
“We are here to offer parents and caregivers guidance and reassurances that their child is as safe in a car seat as possible while riding in the car,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant John Hopkins said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.
California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep your child in rear- and forward-facing seats as long as possible. Children 8 and older, who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may ride in the back seat of a vehicle in a properly fitted safety belt.
To learn more about the Orange County Sheriff’s Department car seat program, contact the Sheriff’s Regional Traffic Bureau at (949) 425-1860.
To search for car seat programs in your county, visit the OTS website. You may also contact your local CHP Area Office to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.
MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (September 1, 2022): Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail arrested Gil Franco Carpentero, 64, of Tustin, on Thursday, September 1, for lewd and lascivious acts on a dependent adult.
Carpentero has been a caretaker of Intellectual/Developmental Disabled adults for 10 years. He was employed at a facility in Mission Viejo when the sexual assault occurred. In December 2021, a dependent adult female reported she was sexually assaulted by Carpentero at a care facility in Mission Viejo. Family members contacted the Sheriff’s Department to report the incident. Evidence was recently received linking Carpentero to the reported incident.
Due to Carpentero’s access to Intellectual/Developmental Disabled adults, Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking the for the public’s help. He is currently in custody at the Orange County Jail with bail set at $100,000.
Anyone with information regarding possible additional victims or with information they believe may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7419, or submit an anonymous tip to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.
MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (Aug. 26, 2022) The Orange County Sheriff's and Irvine Police departments on Thursday, Aug. 25, hosted a complex coordinated terrorist attack exercise to evaluate operational strategy and communication between multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
The full-scale exercise involved more than 300 law enforcement and fire participants from 10 public safety agencies.
“Conducting a training of this scale is critically important to ensure Orange County public safety agencies test our tactics and preparedness and find areas for improvement,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “We are dedicated to this type of real-world training because we know the more we practice our response and refine our tactics, the better we can protect our community.”
The exercise was based on a storyline developed by homeland security professional services company, SenseMakers. The scenario began with homegrown violent extremists planning coordinated attacks at two Orange County houses of worship: The Orange County Islamic Foundation mosque in Mission Viejo and Mariners Church in Irvine.
In Mission Viejo, deputies, officers and firefighters responded to a dynamic active shooter incident that included multiple shooters and more than 40 volunteers who played roles as victims. OC Sheriff investigative teams simultaneously held a tabletop exercise to walk through the process of identifying the suspects and piecing together a case.
The Orange County Fire Authority also dedicated multiple engines to the scenario for personnel to train on medical aid procedures for injuries sustained in an active shooter incident.
“The importance of training and identifying successes and challenges when responding with our law enforcement partners cannot be overstated,” said OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. “In an ever-changing world it is critical that we continually train and be ready to meet the needs of our communities.”
The Irvine scenario included a hostage situation compounded by reports of improvised explosive devices placed throughout the Mariners campus. The Joint Hazard Assessment Team, which includes SWAT teams from multiple jurisdictions, hazmat teams and the OC Sheriff Hazardous Devices Section participated in the exercise that included simulated hazmat, chemical and explosive components.
“The Irvine Police Department is committed to realistic, scenario-based training that will prepare our personnel to effectively respond to acts of violence in our community,” said Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent. We are grateful to Mariners Church and our public safety partners who helped make this training possible.”
Ten public safety agencies participated in this exercise: Anaheim Fire Department, California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Huntington Beach PD, Huntington Beach Fire Department, Irvine PD, Laguna Beach PD, OCFA, OC Sheriff and Saddleback College PD. The exercise is paid for by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Area Security Initiative.
The training was funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Association’s (FEMA) Urban Area Security Initiative.
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. (Sep. 6, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Sep. 9, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Laguna Niguel.
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.
