MISSION VIEJO, CA. (July 21, 2022): On Saturday, July 23, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies at Lake Mission Viejo 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 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Lake Mission Viejo located in the city of Mission Viejo for their summer concert series.

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.

COSTA MESA, CA. (July 13, 2022): On Saturday, July 16, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies at the Orange County Fair 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 9 p.m. at the Orange County Fair in the City of Costa Mesa for the "Brew Hee Haw" festival.

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.

ORANGE, Ca. (July 5, 2022) – On Sunday, July 3, 2022, an inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at the hospital.

The inmate, Eric Garcia, 40, was booked into jail on June 25, 2022, by the Garden Grove Police Department for vandalism.

Garcia was pronounced deceased at the hospital after being transferred to the hospital for a medical issue on June 29, 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.

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In March of 2008, deputies were involved in an officer involved shooting in the city of Mission Viejo.  The case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and no criminal charges were filed.  The Deputy Involved shooting was determined to be within policy.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/OIS/OIS.08-043784.zip

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In March of 2020, a deputy was found to use prejudice/discrimination in the performance of duty.  Discipline was issued.

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• Read more about CCRS 2020-01467 Sustained Prejudice/Discrimination

STANTON, Ca. (June 29, 2022) – At 7:21 p.m. on June 28, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 7000 block of Lessue Avenue in the city of Stanton for unknown trouble. Upon arrival, deputies found a 49-year-old man and 76-year-old man in the street with gunshot wounds. Both men were transported to the hospital where the 49-year-old man, Juan Cristalinas, of Santa Ana, was pronounced deceased.

Multiple suspects fled the location prior to deputies’ arrival. Preliminary information indicates Mr. Cristalinas is a pizza delivery driver who may have stopped to assist the other victim during an assault. The relationship between the injured victim and suspects is under investigation by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau and the North Gang Enforcement Team. Based on witness statements, the suspects are believed to be four Hispanic or white males.

Homicide investigators are actively seeking 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. (June 15, 2022) – Orange County Sheriff’s Investigators have arrested Yonic Montealvan-Saldivar, 19, for homicide. Montealvan-Saldivar is suspected to have shot and killed 32-year-old Jose Luis Ortiz Dejesus on Monday, May 30, 2022, in San Juan Capistrano.

Just after 9 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 2600 block of Calle San Francisco for unknown trouble. The victim was found inside a residence with a gunshot wound.  He was pronounced deceased by the Orange County Fire Authority at the scene.

The suspect fled the location prior to deputies’ arrival.  Investigators were able to identify Montealvan-Saldivar as a person of interest.  On June 10, 2022, at about 9 a.m., Montealvan-Saldivar was detained at the Calexico West Port of Entry in Calexico, CA by the US Customs and Border Protection as he was entering the United States.  He was transferred to the custody of the Calexico Police Department and booked into the Imperial County Jail on a warrant.  On June 13, 2022, Montealvan-Saldivar was returned to Orange County and booked into jail for homicide.

The Orange County Fire Authority and Orange County Sheriff's Department have released a joint statement reference a recent article in the Orange County Register.   

STANTON, Ca. (June 2, 2022): Captain Charles Walters has been selected as the new Chief of Stanton Police Services. He will begin serving the city on Friday, June 3.

“I’m honored to have been selected to serve the residents of Stanton and I look forward to joining a team dedicated to providing exceptional law enforcement services to the community,” Captain Walters said.

Captain Walters joined the Sheriff’s Department in 2004 after graduating from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. He served as a deputy in Custody Operations, Patrol Operations, Training Division and in the Homeland Security Division as an operator on the SWAT team and a member of the Tactical Apprehension Team.

After promoting to Sergeant, Captain Walters was assigned to Custody Operations, the SAFE Division and then the Professional Standards Division, serving in the Internal Affairs Bureau. He then transferred to the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy where he was assigned as an Academy Tactical Sergeant, then as an Arrest and Control Technique Sergeant.

He became a jail Watch Commander as a Lieutenant in March 2019, then promoted to Captain of the OC Sheriff’s Special Operations Division, which provides specialized services during a variety of complex critical incidents. Captain Walters was charged with leading the department’s SWAT, K-9, Crisis Negotiation, Tactical Apprehension and Hazardous Devices teams.

Most recently, Captain Walters was assigned as the Chief of Police Services for Laguna Woods.

Captain Walters also has carried multiple ancillary assignments in his tenure, including serving as an instructor at Rancho Santiago Canyon Community College and as a mentor for OC Sheriff personnel, instilling valuable leadership lessons and preparing them for promotional opportunities.

When not working, Captain Walters dedicates his time to multiple local youth sports organizations, serving as a coach, board member and field maintenance volunteer.

MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (May 19, 2022): The City of Mission Viejo has selected Captain Christopher McDonald as its Chief of Police Services.

"I am honored and humbled to be selected to serve the residents of Mission Viejo.” Captain McDonald said.  “I look forward to working with the community and continuing to provide the city with excellent law enforcement services."

Captain Christopher McDonald joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1999. In his time with the Sheriff’s Department, he has served in Custody Operations, Patrol Operations, and in Investigations at the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center (OCIAC) and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. 

As a supervisor, Captain McDonald worked in Custody Operations, the Crime Analysis Bureau, and as a patrol supervisor in the City of Stanton.  Additionally, he has served an ancillary duty as part of the Crisis Negotiation Team.  Most recently, Captain McDonald served as a Lieutenant at the Theo Lacy Facility, overseeing daily operations and special projects. 

Captain McDonald has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Administration from National University. 

Captain McDonald will begin serving the City of Mission Viejo on Friday, May 20.