HomeMy WebLinkAbout02_0 SA 20-027 Preface_Tanner_pdf.REDACTED.TBRS.A. 20-027
Supervising Investigator: B. Tanner Date of Report:11/17/2020
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CASE NAME: J
CLASSIFICATION: CUSTODIAL RELATED DEATH
AGENCY: SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
DATE AND TIME: NOVEMBER 4, 2020 0547 HRS
LOCATION: 62 CIVIC CENTER PLAZA
SANTA ANA, CA. 92701
AGENCY CASE NUMBERS: SAPD # 20-23197
OCCL FR# 20-53528
OCCO # 20-05756-BK
On Wednesday, November 4, 2020, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office (OCDA)
was contacted by the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) regarding a custodial related death in
their city jail facility. Investigators from the OCDA and SAPD responded to the jail to handle the
investigation.
On July 6, 2020 S was brought to the SAPD city jail by the Federal Bureau
of Prisons (BOP) to house S for the remainder of his imposed sentence S was
previously in custody with
.
. For approximately
the last month, S was housed on the second floor of Module 3D, cell D24, and was housed
by himself in the cell.
On November 4, 2020, SAPD custodial officer C. FERNANDEZ #3142 was handling the
routine scheduled inmate welfare checks in Module 3D. Shortly after midnight, FERNANDEZ
scheduled her lunch, and SAPD custodial officer VALENZUELA #2478 assumed the duty of
ORANGE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
PREFACE
S.A. 20-027
Supervising Investigator: B. Tanner Date of Report:11/17/2020
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performing the inmate checks while FERNANDEZ was away. According to custodial staff, during
the time FERNANDEZ was away, VALENZUELA should have performed two inmate checks.
At approximately 1:39 a.m., FERNANDEZ resumed her scheduled inmate welfare checks
and came upon cell D24, cell. FERNANDEZ observed suspended above the floor
with a bed sheet that was modified into a ligature around his neck.
Additional jail staff were requested and responded to the cell. Jail personnel began life-
saving measures, and requested medical aid. Orange County Fire Authority responded to the
scene and transported to a local trauma center. At approximately 2:15 a.m.,
pronounced deceased. An Orange County Coroner’s Office (OCCO) investigator responded
to the hospital to process the body and arrange to have it transported to the OCCO.
The following assignments were made:
• TOM TOTH / FRANK GOMEZ (SAPD) –Case Investigator
• CRAIG BROWER / MATT MCLEAOD (SAPD)-Canvass Interviews
• DAVE MELNYK / MATT LEMON (SAPD)-Scene
• BRIAN SHELDON / JIM GARCIA (SAPD)-Hospital Scene/Interviews
Refer to the packaged reports, documents and photographs for details of this investigation.