Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates. An inmate died early Thursday morning at the Cois M. Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta. "This announcement comes as a shock but at the same time, should have been expected from our California DOJ and the attorney general who cares more about politics than he does about transparency or the truth", "This investigation is based on nothing but false and misleading statements and straight out lies from activists including their attorneys," Bianco said. "I'm greatly encouraged by the possibility and potential of justice," Riverside County . The name of the decedent is not being released at this time. The California attorney general's civil rights investigation into the Riverside County Sheriff's Department provides long-overdue oversight and accountability for the county's largest law enforcement agency, say frequent critics of the department and its elected leader, Sheriff Chad Bianco. As a reminder, "Community Policing . Along the way, Jeff has covered wildfires, a tropical storm, 9/11 and the Dec. 2 terror attack in San Bernardino. Deputy Calhoun was later pronounced deceased.". Hopefully this investigation is just the beginning of accountability in the deeply troubled Riverside County Sheriffs Department. More:ACLU joins calls for outside investigation of deaths in Riverside County jails, More:Riverside sheriff failed to report inmate deaths to state on time; names of dead made public. On February 24, 2023, at 12:00 pm, the Lake Elsinore Station Special Enforcement Team (SET) deputies conducted a traffic enforcement stop in the 20000 block of Van Buren Avenue in the city of Riverside. Follow Us! For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau. On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, at 7:04 PM, deputies from the Southwest Station responded to the a residence in the 35000 Block of Sugar Maple Street in French Valley reference an overdose. The Desert Sun called for similar oversight later that month. The guard tased Serrano to no effect. "I am honored and proud to receive this award from the men and women who place their lives on the line to protect Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. The following Official Arrest Record for Aaron Ferrel is being redistributed by LCN and is protected by constitutional, publishing, and other legal rights. There are no further suspects. (File photo by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer), In an image from a Riverside County sheriffs deputys uniform-worn camera video, deputies hold down Ernie Serrano after placing a mask on him to prevent him from spitting on them at the Stater Bros. in Jurupa Valley on Dec. 15, 2020. Press Releases Riverside County Sheriff, CA CivicEngage Sort By: Colorado River Station 1 Story Posted on: December 16, 2022 Narcotic Sales and Weapons Arrest Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Bryan Whitley File # A223490022 Details: The male was revived; however, the female was pronounced deceased by hospital staff. RIVERSIDE It's time for the attorney general of California to investigate the Riverside County Sheriff's Department (RSD) for its racist policing practices, rampant patrol and jail deaths, and its refusal to comply with a court orders. A Riverside County sheriff's deputy was shot and killed by a convicted criminal with an extensive record while trying to make a traffic stop in Jurupa Valley on Thursday . Brian Rokos has worked in newspapers since 1985, at the Mountain Democrat in Placerville, News Chronicle in Thousand Oaks, the Cincinnati Post, the Orange County Register and currently The Press-Enterprise/Southern California News Group. Gangs & Narcotics . Press Releases Riverside County Sheriff, CA CivicEngage Press Releases Sheriff's Administration 8 Stories Posted on: February 6, 2023 Deputy Involved Shooting Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez File # MV230370177 Details: That coalition included Corona-based Starting Over Inc. Starting Over is grateful that the families who have lost loved ones to violence and neglect from the Riverside County Sheriffs Department will see some oversight from the Department of Justice, Avalon Edwards, Starting Over policy associate, said via email. The person named in this listing has only been arrested on suspicion of the crime indicated and is presumed innocent. During the course of the investigation, attorneys and special agents at the California Department of Justice will work diligently to consider all relevant information, including from community members and organizations, local officials, oversight entities, RSO, and individualdeputies. Gavin Newsom instituted a statewide stay-at-home order due to the burgeoning. There are no outstanding suspects and anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call Corporal Stavness or Investigator Birmingham at the Cabazon Sheriffs Station at 951-922-7100 or the Riverside County Sheriffs Department at 951-776-1099. "We have absolutely nothing to hide and will be more than cooperative and accommodation with this investigation," Bianco said. Desert - (760) 956-5001 This site is not monitored 24/7, in case of an emergency call 911. Severe Weather Big Bear Lake. RIVERSIDE, Calif. (PRWEB) April 21, 2021 Court records show that on March 26, 2021 a civil lawsuit was filed naming the County of Riverside and former sheriff deputy Michael Dean, Riverside County Superior Court Case No. When some communities dont see or feel they are being treated equitably by law enforcement, it contributes to distrust and hurts public safety. The investigation will determine if the agency engaged. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco appeared in court in November to explain that Rivera was released because the county jail system was overcrowded with inmates who were sentenced to state. Morning Forecast Press Releases By Category. As Deputy Calhoun approached the residence, the suspect began shooting at him, and a deputy-involved shooting occurred. Other problems have surfaced through litigation, including warrantless raids on the properties of an elderly couple by sheriffs deputies which resulted in a six-figure settlement last year. "This investigation is based on nothing but false, misleading statements, and straight-out lies from activists, including their attorneys," Bianco said. In Orange County, 3 in every 1,000 inmates died in jail in 2020, and in San Bernardino County, about 2 in every 1,000 inmates died. Enjoy the Super Bowl Responsibly: Choose a Sober Way to Go. As a reminder, Community Policing involves partnerships between law enforcement and community members. 0:57. The investigation affirms what families impacted by sheriffs violence have long demanded, Luis Nolasco, a senior policy advocate and organizer at the Southern California ACLU, said via email. The investigation revealed the suspect identified as, Jesse Romero 46-year-old resident of Bellflower, had fled the scene. Press Releases. The deputy has died, the Riverside County Sheriff's Dept announced. Everything you need to be ready to step out prepared. In September, the group also sent a letter to the attorney general and the county's board of supervisors asking for outside investigations of the deaths and to create a separate coroner's office to investigate them in the future. 11/28/2016 - From the Office of Sheriff Larry Jones. This investigation is ongoing. Concern about inmate care in the countys jails is not new. The Riverside County families and advocates, meanwhile, have demanded outside investigations of the deaths and more transparency from the sheriff's department, which has not responded. Calhoun began working as a Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy on February 24, 2022. Investigators with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department have identified the suspect as Jesse Navarro, 42-year-old resident of Lake Elsinore. County Supervisor Kevin Jeffries said he is concerned by the jail deaths, including those from drug overdoses, and hopes the attorney general's investigation will find solutions. The announcement comes as 20 inmates have died in the county's jails since January 2022, often with the sheriff's department releasing scant information about the individuals and virtually no public discussion of how to stop further loss of life. Coroner. And public calls for more information about the increased rate of death have been met with virtual silence from the sheriff's department and county officials. (File photo by Terry Pierson, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG), The California attorney generals civil rights probe of the Riverside County Sheriffs Department announced Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023, does restore my faith in justice, thats for sure, county Democratic Party Chair Joy Silver said. "We hope that this will lead to meaningful accountability and oversight over a department rife with in-custody deaths of county residents.". 4 min read As President Biden escalates his administration's efforts to. We are devastated to announce the passing of Deputy Darnell Calhoun who was killed in the line of duty this afternoon. That lawsuit was settled in 2015. Michael Lujan, a 31-year department veteran who commanded the Lake Elsinore station, has paid a filing fee and received paperwork to run for sheriff, according to Registrar of Voters Rebecca Spencer. For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau. In a statement through a spokesperson, county CEO Jeff Van Wagenen, who reports to the board of supervisors, said: "The county will fully cooperate and provide any information that is available. The California attorney general has launched an investigation into whether Riverside County Sheriff's Department practices have violated civil rights, citing a sharp and "disturbing . At a Los Angeles news conference, Bonta said the investigation is necessary because that trust between the county sheriffs office and the community it serves is in peril., In a YouTube video, Bianco, a Republican who has been sheriff since 2019, accused Bonta, a Democrat, of a staging political stunt to appease an anti-law enforcement activist base for their support when he announces his run for governor.. Get the Gunzenhausen, Bavaria, Germany local hourly forecast including temperature, RealFeel, and chance of precipitation. The Riverside County Sheriff's Office wants to remind citizens of the dangers of illicit narcotics, many of which may contain Fentanyl. A retired Riverside County sheriff's captain plans to run against Sheriff Chad Bianco in the June 7 election. The department tweeted that Deputy Terrell Young was its first member to succumb to the virus. Concealed Weapon Permit (CCW) Press Releases. Grand Terrace. ACLU joins calls for outside investigation of deaths in Riverside County jails, Riverside sheriff failed to report inmate deaths to state on time; names of dead made public, The Desert Sun found last year that Bianco's department broke the law when it failed to report some inmates' deaths to the state Department of Justice, Santa Clara Sheriff Laurie Smith was convicted in a civil corruption trial, sent a letter to the attorney general and the county's board of supervisors, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Former Santa Clara Sheriff Laurie Smith was convicted in a civil corruption trial in November for providing concealed carry weapons permits in exchange for political donations or other favors. This is an active investigation and no additional details are currently available. I am certain that fellow members of the Board of Supervisors will be looking for options to seek continuing improvements., He added: If the review by the AG is not political in nature and is an honest evaluation of how the department can improve its anti-smuggling efforts and improve its life-saving responses to overdoses, the recommendations could be a win for everyone looking for life-saving improvements.. On Thursday, March 2nd, 2023, around 11:49 p.m., deputies from the Thermal Station responded to a call of shots fired near the 84000 block of Lingayan Avenue in the unincorporated area of C On February 23, 2023, Thermal Station patrol units responded to the 45900 block of Adams Street in the city of La Quinta regarding a robbery that occurred at 8:20 PM. Download the News Channel 3 app here. Posted on: December 8, 2022 Storage Unit Burglary Series Suspect Arrested. It took weeks for her to retrieve his belongings from the jail and more than a month to see his body. If you would like to make a donation to the Calhoun family. Follow the instruction of this link: https://helpahero.com/campaign/deputy-darnell-calhoun. Washington County and Riverside-Martin boys basketball game ends early after fight, Knights players involved Today, the California Department of Justice announced it was opening a civil rights investigation into the Riverside County Sheriffs Department. Whether you have a loved one in jail or are worried about crime in your neighborhood, we all benefit when there is action to ensure the integrity of policing in our state.". SACRAMENTO, CA(2/27/23)Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino) announced today he received the Riverside Sheriffs' Association's 2023 State Elected Official Award from the association at the group's annual Board of Directors Awards Banquet. Morning Forecast For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media . Deputy Calhoun sustained life threatening injuries and was rushed to a local area hospital by sheriffs deputies. "This will prove to be a complete waste of time and resources. Young battled symptoms of COVID-19 for a week before his death, Sheriff Chad . The Riverside County Sheriffs Hazardous Device Team responded to the location and took possession of the explosive materials. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Investigator Darryl Robertson at (951 . Contests & Promotions The county's death toll is outpacing other California counties. Its approximately 3,500 inmates are dwarfed by San Bernardino's 5,000 and just shy of Orange County's 3,700. In 31 of those cases, the victims were not perceived to be armed with a firearm, bringing into question whether RSD used deadly force only when necessary or in defense of life, as required by law., In the years 2013 to 2021, RSD deputies killed more people in the course of making arrests than almost all (92%) of California sheriffs departments., Despite increases in funding, the RSD solved fewer homicides than 72% of sheriff departments in the state.. A few hours later, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco posted a video response to Bonta's announcement, calling it a political stunt. In 1905, man who broke into home to steal ham was convicted and fined $150. And Riverside County's rate of jail deaths has increased in recent years. The Riverside Police Department is a department of dedicated professional police officers and civilian personnel committed to providing the highest quality of service and protection to the community. Medical personnel arrived on scene and transported both subjects to a local area hospital where they received medical attention. Bonta clarified that a pattern or practice investigation is different from a criminal investigation of a particular incident or person, but is meant to identify wrongdoing and compel the correction of systemic constitutional violations. He can be reached at christopher.damien@desertsun.com or follow him at @chris_a_damien. RIVERSIDE, CA - On Monday, September 20, 2021 at approximately 2:17 p.m., the City of Riverside's Public Safety Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call from a woman who reported that a man was armed with a handgun in her apartment, located along the 800 block of Blaine Street in Riverside. Deputies arrived and located the female who had sustained several stab wounds. Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing updates. On Friday, January 13th, 2023, Deputy Darnell Calhoun made the ultimate sacrifice." San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. riverside county ccw letter of. Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Deirdre Vickers File # F230130025 . Riverside's release rate goes up, even as other counties' go down In February, about three weeks before Gov. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriffs Homicide Tipline online form. The investigation follows 18 reported deaths last year double the countys per-year average in the countys five jails. On Friday, November 15, 2019, at 5:50 PM, deputies from the San Jacinto Station responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon in the 100 Block of Jordan Ave in the city of San Jacinto. Christopher Damien covers public safety and the criminal justice system. Critics of Riverside County sheriff welcome, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Critics of Riverside County sheriff welcome attorney general investigation, San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation presents its Black Rose Awards, Remains of 2 bodies found near Hemet; Temecula man arrested, Riverside County restaurants shut down by health inspectors, Feb. 23-March 2, Wicks Brewing Co. in Riverside closing after 10 years, The California attorney generals civil rights investigation, who helped form an anti-Bianco political action committee, State launches investigation into death rate in Riverside County jails, a California Department of Justice news release states, who was re-elected in 2022 with 61% of the vote, who didnt require jail employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, called on Bonta to investigate the sheriffs office, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco isnt backing down in second term, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, DA Mike Hestrin get 2 more years in office, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Biancos refusal to enforce coronavirus orders gets national attention, New group aims to oust Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco in 2022, Deputies wont be charged in restrained Jurupa Valley mans death, UC Riverside research center should be investigated, faculty and students say, After fire damages Riverside Community Players theater, publics help sought, Good news (and flowers) for Cellar Door Books in Riverside, Conditions for snowed-in Crestline mobile home park pretty bleak, 7 win 2023 Riverside County Educator of the Year awards, Dine 909: New restaurants coming to San Bernardino, Upland and Redlands, Tax filing deadline moves to mid-October for most Californians, Disneyland quietly removes controversial lyric from new parade soundtrack, Futuristic vaccine to prevent Alzheimers starts local trial, As Adderall shortage continues, DEA plans to limit some telemedicine prescriptions, House where JonBenet Ramsey was found dead listed for sale for almost $7M, Columbia University permanently drops SAT, ACT admissions requirement, The Waterbed Doctor: California retailer lays claim to retro bed with nearly 40 years of service, sales, Felonious Florida podcast: Missing teenage girl leads to several cases of child sex trafficking, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The Riverside County District Attorneys Office declined to file charges against the five deputies involved, though an autopsy by the Riverside County Coroners Office determined their actions contributed to Serranos death by overdose. The Riverside County Sheriffs Central Homicide Unit responded and assumed the investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Investigator Leone at the Lake Elsinore Sheriffs Station at (951) 2453300. Among the major stories he has covered are destructive wildfires, Christopher Dorner's rampage, the San Bernardino terrorist attack, Chase Merritt murder trial and the Perris torture case. At least two incarcerated people and two sheriff's deputies have died from complications related to COVID-19, according to reports. After Serrano said I cant breathe, he stopped breathing and died. Nigro told The Desert Sun that she doesn't trust the sheriff's department to do an impartial investigation of his death. Lisa Matus heard about her son's death from her other son, who was also in custody. In a statement he sent to The Desert Sun, Bianco said the investigation came as a "shock" and described it as politically motivated. Today, Jeff writes about Riverside County government and regional politics. This investigation is ongoing. That investigation is ongoing. If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Investigator Garcia-Flores at 951-955-1700. MENIFEE The Riverside County Sheriff's Department released footage from body-worn cameras Saturday that shows two deputies shooting to death a 37-year-old man who was armed with a handgun after a pursuit on the 215 Freeway.. Juan Miguel Bejar was wanted in connection with a shooting that occurred in Ventura County on May 2, according to Riverside County sheriff's officials. We will be completely open, honest and share everything we can with our community throughout this investigation because we have serious concerns that Bontas DOJ will not.. Unfortunately, it is clear that amid concerning levels of in-custody deaths and allegations of misconduct too many families and communities in Riverside County are hurting and looking for answers. Bonta said Thursday that his office could request that a court order changes to how the department operates if problems are found. It's disturbing.". Lifesaving measures were unsuccessful and Trask was ultimately pronounced deceased. That's the same number that triggered an investigation by the California State Auditor of the San Diego County Sheriff's Department in 2021, which found that a county oversight board was lacking and, in part, recommended the attorney general's office expand its role there. The letter detailed their requests for more oversight of the sheriff's department and the deaths in the jails. On February 28, 2023, investigators identified the two remaining suspects in the homicide of Christopher Antonio Gutierrez, a resident of San Jacinto. Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday that his investigators will probe whether Sheriff Chad Bianco's department has taken part in a pattern or practice of unconstitutional conduct in violation of state or federal law. Berkeley-based Prison Law Office, which aims to protect the rights of inmates, filed a class-action lawsuit in 2013 that demanded the county improve health care for inmates. If you are interested in a career with us, please apply . Press Releases Riverside County Sheriff, CA CivicEngage . It's these kinds of statistics, not any one incident, Bonta said Thursday, that lay the foundation for his pattern or practice investigation. News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation. Jeff Horseman grew up in Vermont and honed his interviewing skills as a supermarket cashier by asking Bernie Sanders Paper or plastic? After graduating from Syracuse University in 1999, Jeff began his journalistic odyssey at The Watertown Daily Times in upstate New York, where he impressed then-U.S. Senate candidate Hillary Clinton so much she called him John at the end of an interview. Lake Mathews Station's front office hours of operation are Monday - Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm . Official Twitter of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, seen Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022, said the investigation of his department by the California attorney generals office is a politically motivated stunt. Elias Miranda, 21-year-old resident of San Jacinto and Ramon Mora, 41-year-old resident of San Jacinto, were both already in custody for unrelated charges. On February 25, 2023, at 10:37 PM, deputies from the Riverside County Sheriffs Office, assigned to the Cabazon Station, responded to the 49500 block of Seminole Drive, Cabazon reference a female screaming for help. Riverside County supervisors got in-depth briefs from sheriffs executive staff on the overdose deaths, the smuggling of drugs into the jails, a review of the reporting requirements for the department, Supervisor Kevin Jeffries said via email. In 2022, there were 18 people who died while incarcerated in Riverside County jails, the highest number in the county in the last 15 years, according to a letter from inmate advocacy groups to the Board of State and Community Corrections earlier this month. The District Attorneys Office declined to file charges against the deputies in Serranos death from a methamphetamine overdose after deciding that their actions were lawful. : CVRI2101557. From there, he went to Annapolis, Maryland, where he covered city, county and state government at The Capital newspaper before love and the quest for snowless winters took him in 2007 to Southern California, where he started out covering Temecula for The Press-Enterprise. Riverside Sheriff ' s Lake Mathews Station Lake Mathews Facebook PR Feed Those who have asked the sheriff's department for details about the deaths and what was done to prevent them have often been told that lengthy investigations, sometimes extending to more than a year, prevented the rapid release of autopsy reports or other vital information. For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco will hold a news conference at 9:00 p.m. in Wildomar. And when it did, it reported inaccurate information, most often that the inmate had been sentenced at the time of their death when, in fact, they had not. Thursday was the attorney general's first acknowledgement that an investigation is underway. Information and evidence discovered during the subsequent investigation led investigators to arrest Raymond Tyrrell, 18 years old out of French Valley for murder. The investigation reve On February 23, 2023, members of the Thermal Station Special Investigations Unit and the Fugitives & Warrants Enforcement Team were investigating a robbery in the 50200 block of South Ba On January 12, 2023, Thermal Station patrol units responded to Bagdouma Park in the city of Coachella regarding a robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. This is as opposed to a criminal investigation into an individual incident or incidents, a pattern or practice investigation typically works to identify and, as appropriate, compel the correction of systemic violations of the constitutional rights of the community at large by a law enforcement agency. 03/23/2017 - Missing Children Located. Upon arrival, deputies found Cameron Trask, a 43-year-old male, unresponsive in a bathroom stall. Sheriff Chad Bianco: Press Release: Homicide: Station Area: French Valley: Written Date: February 25, 2021: Time: 1:00 PM: Incident Date: February 24, 2021: Time: 7:04 PM: . Whether you have a loved one in jail or are worried about crime in your neighborhood, we all benefit when there is action to ensure the integrity of policing in our state.. . Coachella and La Quinta, Calif. The Riverside County Sheriffs Office, is reminding football fans to stick to the &ld On January 7, 2023, the John Benoit Detention Centers Correctional Intelligence Bureau (CIB) contacted the Thermal Station Investigations Bureau regarding intercepted mail satura On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 5:24 PM, deputies from the Thermal Sheriff's Station responded to the area of Costa Mesa Drive and Avenue 68, in North Shore, regarding a drowning On Saturday, January 21, 2023, at 3:23 PM, deputies from the Thermal Station responded to a call of a deceased male in the 67900 block of Nina Drive in the unincorporated area of Thermal. Homicide charges have been filed against Miranda and Mora and both remain in custody. The deputy was rushed to Riverside Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead. The California Department of Justice released data that showed Brawn Lamar Hampton's May 26 death as the most recent in Riverside County. The attorney generals media office said Friday, Feb. 24, that Bontas news conference remarks speak for themselves. 1,072 Following. Be the first to know when news breaks in Coachella Valley. Business owners and residents are encouraged to report criminal activity directly to law enforcement by calling Sheriffs Dispatch at (951) 7761099 or 911 if the matter is an emergency. The Riverside County Sheriffs Department encourages anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Central Homicide Investigator Darryl Robertson at (951) 955-1094 or (951) 955-2777. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than . Inmates complained about unsafe crowding, a lack of personal-care supplies and dirty jails. If you are interested in a career with us, please apply at joinrsd.org or call 1-888-Join-RSD, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Checkpoint. 43.4K Followers. The deaths have been very tragic, and the circumstances as to how the drugs are making it into the jails are suspicious and deserving of further in-depth review, said Jeffries, the boards 2022 chairperson. Through our staff-written editorials, we take positions on important issues affecting our readership, from pension reform to protecting our regions unique natural resources to transportation.