OCDA Investigative Report_pdf.REDACTEDNAMEONLY.TBC

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tactics, or civil liability. INVESTIGATIVE METHODOLOGY Among other duties, the OCDASAU is responsible for investigating the deaths of individuals that occur while an individual is in custody within Orange County. An OCDASAU Investigator is assigned as a case agent and is supported by other OCDASAU tnvestigators, as well as investigators from other OCDA units. Six investigators are assigned to the OCDASAU on a full-time basis. There are additional OCDA Investigators assigned to other units in the Office trained to assist when needed. On average, eight investigators respond to an incident within an hour of being called. The investigators assigned to respond to an incident perform a variety of investigative functions that include witness interviews, scene processing, evidence colJection, and hospital investigative responsibilities as needed. The OCDASAU audio records all interviews, and the OCCL processes all physical evidence related to the investigation. Deputy district attorneys from the Homicide, TARGET/Gangs, and Special Prosecutions Units review fatal and non-fatal officer-involved shootings and custodial death cases, and determine whethercriminal charges are appropriate. Thus, when the OCDASAU Investigator has concluded the investigation, the file is turned over to an experienced deputy district attorney for legal review. If necessaiy, the reviewing proseciitor will send the case back for further investigation. Throughout the review process, the assigned prosecutor will be in consultation with the Assistant District Attorney supervising the Special Prosecutions Unit or the OCDA, who will eventually review any legal conclusions and resulting documents. It is also common for the case to be reviewed by several experienced prosecutors and their supervisors. Ultimately, the District Attorney personally reviews and approves all officer involved shooting and custodial death letters. FACTS was booked into the Santa Ana Police Department Detention Facility on July 3, 2020. From that time and until his death, was moved to several different ce(Is because of disciplinary issues. was on Floor 3, Module D, Cell 24 when he died in custody. During his incarceration, experienced the death of his mother and brother; he suffered from substance abuse; and was in an unstable relationship with his girlfriend. received both medical and mental health care while in custody and was prescribed medication for anxiety, hypertension, and addiction cessation. There was no known history of suicide attempts. On November 3, 2020, at approximately 9:01 a.m., was administered Acetaminophen (500 mg tablet), Lisinopril (2.5 mg tablet), and Hydroxyzine Pamoate (25 mg tablet) by a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Later at approximately 6:41 p.m., pokewithhisgirlfriendoverthephoneandthetwodiscussedavarietyoftopicsincludingtheirfinances, their relationship, their future living arrangements, and their substance abuse problems. That night at approximately 7:42 p.m., was again administered Acetaminophen (500mg tablet), Trazodone HCL (100 mg tablet), and Hydroxyzine Pamoate (25 mg tablet) by an LVN. On November 3, 2020, at approximately 9:30 p.m., SAPD Correctional Officer Celeste Fernandez (c.o. Fernandez) was assignedtooverseeFloor3,ModulesCandDuntilhershiffendedat6:30a.m.thenextmorning. Aspartofhe2obduties, c.o. Fernandez was required to conduct two welfare checks every hour on all inmates in her assigned area. At approximately 9:50 p.m., 10:28 p.m., 10:57 p.m., and 11:47 p.m., c.o. Fernandez logged welfare checks of Floor 3 Modules C and D using a department computer and reported no issues with any of the inmates. At approximately lat:45 p.m., SAPD Detention Facility video surveillance recorded c.o. Fernandez conducting a welfare check of cell. Video surveillance then showed SAPD c.o. Mary Valenzuela (c.o. Valenzuela) arriving atl1:59 p.m. to relieve c.o. Fernandez for her break. 2