Detectives were awaiting results from a DNA test of some evidence from the scene, according to a recent court filing. But facing severe budget shortfalls, Mims laid off several dozen correctional officers. The Fresno County Jail has a troubling distinction. Meanwhile, the county jail is grappling again with setbacks. FRESNO, CA During the early hours last Monday morning, it was reported on Fresnos local news channel, ABC30 Action News, that there was a death of an inmate inside the Fresno County Jail and that deputies are conducting an ongoing investigation. He got a death sentence, his parents say. Accidental 5 . TULARE COUNTY, Calif. - Tulare County Sheriff's Mike Boudreaux revealed Friday evening what he says was the likely motive behind the Goshen massacre on January 16, which resulted in the death . Note:A court day consists of the hours of 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, not including court holidays. Im OK. Dont worry about me, she said he told her. You cant use our work to populate a website designed to improve rankings on search engines or solely to gain revenue from network-based advertisements. He just looked drained, Erkins bunkmate said. E-mail Chair Nathan Magsig at District5@fresnocounty.ca.gov. The Fresno County Sheriffs Office is responsible for the operation of three jails within the county. Admission to a California state hospital often takes months, and in January 2018 the waitlist was more than 1,000 patients long. You cant sell our material separately or syndicate it. Sheriff Mims and the Board of Supervisors should be aware that L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca was convicted in March 2017 of obstructing an FBI investigation of similar abuses in L.A. County jails. The jail population has grown since 2000, of course, but jail deaths have grown more. And according to a March court filing, they had been awaiting DNA test results from evidence. I dont want to feel like youre afraid for me. Phone: (916) 970-3131 For Collins, a silver music note filled with his remains travels with her in the car. The sheriffs office knew of the cellmates mental issues. What if I have no money for funeral expenses (Indigent Cremation)? According to a fellow Davis Vanguard reporter, Ned Meiners, Without accurate data to rely on, it is impossible to understand the true scope of the pandemic in Californias jails, and how to best ensure the safety of those living there in the future.. . This should make Sheriff Margaret Mims and the five members of the county Board of Supervisors cringe, but apparently they do not care. On Jan. 16, 2018, police found Brock at his grandmothers house and arrested him on a warrant issued in April 2017 for allegedly possessing child pornography on his computer. There were more meth overdose deaths in Fresno County in 2020 than those of any other kind of drug, according to the coroner's unit. We do not generally permit translation of our stories into another language. Get our investigations delivered to your inbox with the Big Story newsletter. Pacheco, 29, is the only person charged in Herreras murder. If trouble erupts, they must craft a plan to take back control. Herrera didnt get a trial or a plea deal. California Prison Gladiator Fights, Again! Torres got pulled over for a broken taillight. La seleccion resultar en una visualizador de el sitio de informacion de presos donde puede ovservar informacion publico sobre el preso. This application may no longer respond until reloaded. OK - Feb 19, 2023. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; Find an obituary, get service details, leave condolence messages or send flowers or gifts in memory of a loved one. Being a peace officer, Mims said, you know, you want to keep people locked up.. Jail staffers feel overwhelmed at times, said Lt. Russell Duran, a jail officer for 17 years. Groups and organizations wishing to schedule a tour may contact Jail staff at (559) 600-8726, Tuesday-Friday between the hours of 6:00 am and 4:30 pm. He told his partner, Im going to go. PC: Fresno Sheriff. Commentary: Will Berkeley Become the Straw that Broke CEQAs Back? The investigation into Herreras death remains open, and no one has been charged. Why is the Coroner's Office involved in the death of my loved one? Tours of the Jail facilities are available on a scheduled basis. Bothered by the death of an otherwise healthy man in jail on a probation violation, Sanders wrote to officials accusing them of neglect and sent a copy to Erkins mom. All participants are required to complete and sign an, Members of the group must dress in compliance with the. All members of the group must clear the metal detector or they will not be permitted access into the facility. - (626) 585-9600 - dstormer@hadsellstormer.com ADVOCATES SUE FRESNO COUNTY FOR DEATH OF 29-YEAR-OLD EPILEPTIC MAN CAUSED BY DEPRIVATION OF MEDICAL CARE Talk to Us. He had dropped out of high school and spent his days riding dirt bikes, playing video games and helping his father work at a radiator repair shop. His father, Carlos Herrera, offered advice: Just be careful, and only trust yourself.. The problems are compounded because county jails were never meant to accommodate these different inmates with yearslong sentences. She was born on October 3, 1919, and lived 103 years . Email: ccemsa@fresnocountyca.gov. Attention friends and family of Fresno County Jail inmates. Last Name (required): First Name: TIP: If you are unsure how the name is spelled, you can enter the partial spelling of the name followed by an asterisk (*), for example: smi*. She traveled with President Donald Trump to the U.S.-Mexico border earlier this month to advocate tougher federal enforcement. For more information on modified visitation procedures, Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) Policy. Please take a moment to navigate our site and learn more about the Sheriff's Office, its services and how it can better serve you. Erkins family tried to get lawyers to pressure the sheriffs office for answers, but they eventually gave up, tangled in the county bureaucracy. 12746 Obituaries. The family created pendants to hold Erkins ashes. In January 2018, Lorenzo Herrera, 19, Ernest Brock, 20, and Andre Erkins, 30, were booked into the Fresno County Jail. Ryan Gabrielson is a reporter for ProPublica covering health care. addy5aba5b4c3f45a5c70aa7fe29b2b82d1d = addy5aba5b4c3f45a5c70aa7fe29b2b82d1d + 'fresnosheriff' + '.' + 'org'; He remained unconscious for two weeks, clinging to life. Captain Joe Smith spoke . In May 2011, California lost its decadeslong legal fight on prison overcrowding. Herrera was booked into Fresno Countys jail in January 2018 on burglary and assault charges after he and two other young men allegedly smashed into a home southeast of Fresno and then evaded law enforcement. i have alot of my friends who have died n there ther gangmembers but ,there not there humans with nno guidence .noones talks bout it ., my boyfriend is n there now n my brother was once also a gujinney pig for this fuckd up sysytem i keep fresno county n my prayers, 2023 Community Alliance | Privacy Policy. She closed several floors of the jail because she didnt have enough officers to watch inmates. Can I get a copy of the Coroner's Report? The inmate population is supervised by over 350 Correctional . ProPublica and The Sacramento Bee are spending the year reporting on resources, safety and crowding in California county jails. After losing two appeals, he is now on his way to federal prison with a three-year sentence. He sounded alarmed in a call to his mother. This may take several hours from the time the criminal offender was "released" in court. I will never forget the experience. The place was already crowded, and the place was already old, and the mission was already complex, and the budget was already not very good.. He had no short-term memory, his mother said, and seemed to have problems with basic mental functions. Add to My Heroes . Usted puede utilizar el telfono para buscar informacin y registrarse para recibir notificaciones acerca de la posicin de la custodia de un ofensor -- cada estado/condado tiene su propio nmero de telfono de VINE sin peaje. All Rights Reserved. Some are serving yearslong sentences and others recently arrived and are awaiting their day in court. They bundled the first reforms in 2011 into Assembly Bill 109, referred to as realignment. Inmate Search podria asistir en la busqueda y seleccion de el delincuente. booking# jid name age release_date releasetype arrestagency charges; 2313934: 0262609: easley, michael james: 52: 3/2/2023 7:28:00 pm: probation release: fsd13 - transportation / warrants The Coroner's Office investigates deaths falling under the guidelines of the California Government Code 27491. And even now, no one at the jail seems to know what happened. 2023. PO Box 11867, Fresno CA 93775-1867. He and two other young men were accused of smashing into a home southeast of Fresno and fleeing in a pickup. The Voice of the Progressive Movement since 1996, The degree of civilization in a society is revealed by entering its prisons.Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Would love your thoughts, please comment. El Centro de Informacion de Presos sitio por la internet puede ayudar con registro si el delincuente esta corriente en la custodia de la carcel de el condado de Fresno. His mother, Tabatha Rankin, said her son loved hiking and fishing but hadnt figured out what to do with his life. By November, the county settled with inmates and agreed in a consent decree to cap the jail population. Herrera survived the violent chaos of the Fresno County Jail for 66 days, including living through a brawl that left another inmate unconscious. Court appearances for warrants in Fresno are set by the court and take approximately two (2) court days. The release of prisoners has stabilized, but violence has increased. It is up to us to demand human rights and human treatment for inmates. Crude death rates equal the total number of deaths during a specific year for a given cause of death (e.g., heroin overdose), divided by the population and multiplied by 100,000. Officers are sometimes slower to conduct rounds, to notice inmates who are gravely sick, to watch fights develop in a gang pod or to isolate psychotic inmates. SHARE. Correctional Officer Jay Miller. An officer opened the door hatch, pulled a launcher from his leg holster and instructed all inmates to stop fighting and to get down on the ground, according to incident reports. Jail staff began CPR, and an ambulance whisked him to a hospital five blocks away. Mom, Im really sorry. This system only shows information that can be viewed by the public. Total Line of Duty Deaths: 1,741. The total combined capacity of all open floors is currently 2,427 inmates. G, Fresno, CA 93725. This story is part of an ongoing investigation into the crisis in Californias jails. The Fresno County Main Jail is located at: 1225 'M' Street. Its okay to put our stories on pages with ads, but not ads specifically sold against our stories. The Fresno County Sheriffs Office did not announce Pachecos arrest in the jailhouse slaying, as would be typical in high-profile or unsolved homicides. They saw inmates beating a man under the stairwell. The sheriff's office . You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Please register to access this content. Bob McCloskey is a retired union organizer and human rights activist. A man has been charged, but detectives say theyre still trying to determine if there are additional suspects. In 1969, when I was 18 years old, I spent 100 days awaiting trial in the L.A. County jail for marijuana possession and another nonviolent offense. Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriffs Office said they had interviewed every inmate who was detained with Herrera. According to deputies, the death happened late Sunday night but no other specifics on the identity or cause have been released to the public. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest. Erkins stayed home with the kids when Meza worked. Live Scan costs vary, so please contact the office for more details. The increase in violence and death in Fresno County lockups started soon after the state was ordered in 2011 by the U.S. Supreme Court to reduce its prison population. Staff members talk about the demands of guarding such large populations. Fentanyl overdoses are contributing to the rapid rise in overdose deaths in Fresno County in recent years. In negotiations, the inmates lawyers agreed the sheriffs office can house three people in a space designed for two. Police said Herrera pointed a gun at an officer before surrendering. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 2:30 pm. The increase in violence and death in Fresno started soon after the state was ordered in 2011 by the U.S. Supreme Court to reduce its prison population. Police Officer . 3333 E. American Ave, Suite GFresno, CA 93725(559) 600-3400. Erkins speech slurred that evening as they sat at a dayroom table. The feeling is different on the floor. Re: Doris Anderson, et al. Murder in the Fresno County jail. The Board of Parole H The Fresno County Jail made local, state, national and international news. Erkins knew he was in trouble, but his relationship with longtime friend Natalie Meza was going well. She traveled with President Donald Trump to the U.S.-Mexico border, Barricaded Siblings Turn to TikTok While Defying Court Order to Return to Father They Say Abused Them, How to File Taxes for Free Without TurboTax, A Christian Health Nonprofit Saddled Thousands With Debt as It Built a Family Empire Including a Pot Farm, a Bank and an Airline, Heres How TurboTax Just Tricked You Into Paying to File Your Taxes, New Bill Could End Police Ticketing in Illinois Schools, Colorado Lawmakers Consider Reforms to the Way Family Courts Handle Abuse Allegations. This site has been designed to be a resource for the public, providing up-to-date information and news, as well as background and historical information about the office. I was nearly raped, I was physically attacked and, like all the other inmates, I was treated like an animal by sadistic guards. The Fresno County Arrest Records Search (California) links below open in a new window and take you to third party websites that provide access to Fresno County public records. The inmate population dropped from 2,100 to 1,400 in the first six months of 2010, according to the sheriffs office jail census data. An officer pulled him over and ran his name. An unconscious inmate was whisked to the hospital, and the pod was put on lockdown. On February 19, 2021, the Fresno County Department of Public Health (FCDPH) launched the NEW COVID-19 Data Hub. Officers put him in a cell with a psychotic inmate accused of rape who had refused to take medication and was beating his head against the walls. This story is part of an ongoing investigation into the crisis in Californias jails. There was no reason why that boy shouldve died, she said in a telephone interview. The bunkmate told his mother, Jennifer Sanders, what he saw. 2200 Fresno Street, Fresno, Calif. 93721 | Records (559) 600-8400 | Non-Emergency Dispatch Line (559) 600-3111 Hes never there by himself.. According to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office, the deputy who was killed in an accidental shooting on Monday has been identified as Sgt. Don Spector, director of the Prison Law Office, said sheriffs have been very indifferent to jail conditions. 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No other jail in California has seen a sharper increase in inmate deaths than the Fresno County Jail, whose three buildings house more than 3,000 inmates. Please contact. (The bunkmate, now serving time in a state prison, requested his name not be used out of fear for his safety.). It will hold 200 fewer people, reflecting realignments goal of reform and downsizing. For information on the VINELink in Fresno County, call 1-877-411-5588, or you can search for and register to receive notification about the custody status of an offender via VINELink at http://www.vinelink.com, VINE Contact Information for Fresno CountyPhone: 1-877-411-5588Website: http://www.vinelink.com. A female California corrections officer with a "depraved mind" has been jailed for reportedly having sex with an inmate in full view of 11 other jailbirds . ProPublica data reporter Lylla Younes contributed to this story. state prosecutions that end in convictions still wind up with little jail or prison time for the defendant. The Sheriff's Office patrols more than 6,000 square miles of Central California with a diversity of terrain that varies from open farmlands to . Fresno Police Department. Brock had been assigned a frightening cellmate three days after he was arrested. The main reason that people call 559-475-9491 is to find out if a particular person is in custody, although you can look up an inmate online by going here. Sign up for the Overcorrection newsletter to receive updates in this series as soon as they publish. 1:21-at-00761. Andre Erkins, 30, writhed in pain for hours before dying of previously undetected cardiac disease. If youre republishing online, you must link to the URL of this story on propublica.org, include all of the links from our story, including our newsletter sign up language and link, and use our. Fresno County SO said his co-worker's gun accidentally fired and shot him in the chest. Tony Botti, a department spokesman, on Tuesday said doing so could jeopardize other leads we are looking into.. Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Unlawful Detainer cases are not available for sixty . In addition to the 11 Fresno County inmates, including Herrera, who died last year from drug and alcohol withdrawal, suicide, medical complications and murder, 13 others were beaten and hospitalized for multiple days, court records show. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Detention Officer Kenneth Fowler. As has . The Fresno County Sheriff's Office was established in 1856 and has a proud history and tradition of providing professional law enforcement services to the nearly one million citizens of Fresno County. Currently the jail population is limited to a percentage of the number of available beds within the three jails, with the overriding mandate that each inmate shall have a bed. Ryan Gabrielson is a reporter for ProPublica covering health care. Vital Statistics Office (Health Department): (559) 600-3310, Victim Assistance District Attorney: (559) 600-2822, Fresno County Public Administrator: (559) 600-8660. Then 20 years old, Brock lived with his grandmother on the north end of town along the San Joaquin River. The sheriff is legally allowed to overcrowd the jail, but only to a point. His lips were turning blue, but he told his bunkmate he had no previous medical problems. The cellmate was incarcerated for six months, awaiting trial in a rape case, court records show, and a psychiatrist prescribed medicine for psychosis. Since 2006, The Vanguard has provided Davis and Yolo County with some of the best groundbreaking news coverage on local government and policy issues affecting our city, our schools, the county, and the Sacramento Region. Inmates have some control over day-to-day life inside the pod. Encontrar y oprima el conectar a VINE para registrar. She hasnt faced an opponent since her first race in 2006. Arguably, conditions inside the Fresno County jail should be improving. Inmate Info (559) 600-8600or (559) 475-9491, North Annex Jail1265 M StreetFresno, CA 93721, South Annex Jail2280 Fresno StreetFresno, CA 93721. It has grown nearly every year since, according to data from the California Board of State and Community Corrections. You may also request a copy by sending your request in the mail to the: Fresno County Sheriff-Coroners Office at 3333 E. American Avenue, Ste. In some places, the sheriff had no chance, Cate said. The morning after Erkins died, an investigator called Erkins brother, Deijon, to ask questions about the familys background and medical history. (Tours may be arranged for alternative times.). If you share republished stories on social media, wed appreciate being tagged in your posts. For a timeline of completion, please reach out to your assigned deputy coroner. We are dedicated as a team to provide the highest level of service to our population. At the time of Herreras death, Pacheco was in the Fresno County Jail awaiting trial on the 2015 robbery and assault case. He said his moniker was Rampage.. Andre Erkins got into trouble with the law for the first time on Aug. 9, 2012. Concrete walls separate the six pods, and some pods contain up to 72 inmates. County leaders don't want to repeat that this year after reports of four inmate deaths already. The Fresno County Jail death toll illustrates how some counties have failed to institute reforms, keep up with federal court orders to improve conditions, and prioritize inmate well-being. If you use canonical metadata, please use the ProPublica URL. His father, Carlos Herrera, saw the image as a survival tactic and said self-identifying as a gang member is part of living in the Central Valley and being Hispanic. The facility will replace a dilapidated 1947 jail annex, where female inmates are housed, that is dangerous and in disrepair. Who is accountable? The jail classified Herrera as a gang member and assigned him to one of the pods for maximum security inmates. The Board made no statements in response and asked no questions. We, of the Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner's office, provide excellence in public service through our uncompromising belief in dignity in death. The Sheriff of Fresno County also has the responsibilities of being the Coroner. Bob WileyDetention Facility: (559) 735-1700. At least 18 correctional officers and staff from across the complex flooded into the pod. Four correctional officers are expected to maintain order among some 200 inmates on the floor. Updated: Jan 13, 2022 / 11:39 AM PST. No updates popped up, until she saw that her son had been taken to a hospital. Their cases kicked off a nightmarish year in a local jail where problems trace back to Californias sweeping 2011 prison downsizing and criminal justice reforms. My son wasnt no gang member, Carlos Herrera said in an interview. The information available to the public was extremely limited. The gang members expand their influence in the jail while serving longer sentences, the maximum-security inmates pose a greater threat, those with serious mental illness and those with chronic medical conditions suffer in a place built to temporarily seal them away. Sign up for the Overcorrection newsletter to receive updates in this series as soon as they publish. In March 2018, 13% of the jail positions were vacant. You are are free to republish it so long as you do the following: Copy and paste the following into your page to republish: McClatchy and ProPublica detailed Herreras case, and the mystery surrounding it, in an April article, historic prison reforms, called realignment. Nobody wants to have to go through this sort of litigation. Rankin was unaware of the struggle to save her son. The young woman was sentenced to seven months in county jail as well and two-year probation was handed out to her for having sex with an inmate. Perform a free Fresno County, CA public arrest records search, including current & recent arrests, arrest inquiries, warrants, reports, logs, and mugshots. It is the mission of the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner's Office to provide excellence in public service through our uncompromising belief in dignity in . The employees of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office are committed to a fully integrated criminal justice system, which ensures public safety. Effective Saturday, May 29, 2021, inmate visitationsat all Fresno County Jail facilities are allowed. We do not generally permit translation of our stories into another language. Queena is the Weekend Editor at KQED and edits special projects. The Vanguard Court Watch operates in Yolo, Sacramento and Sacramento Counties with a mission to monitor and report on court cases. Reports have a $84.55 fee, payable in advance by cashiers check or money order. Demand accountability and change. FRESNO, Calif. On the night of Jan. 17, 2018, Lorenzo Herrera walked into the Fresno County Jail booking area and sat down for an interview. One was beaten into a coma. Direct media inquiries can be made to Public Health Communication at (559) 259-1798 or (559) 974-2302. Data compiled by WBUR show that 195 people died in the custody of sheriffs from 2008 to 2018. Since the 2015 decree, lawyers and prison reform experts have had regular meetings with the Fresno County Sheriffs Department to examine their progress in correcting conditions at the jail. If you share republished stories on social media, wed appreciate being tagged in your posts. According to the Fresno Bee, Sheriff Mims has repeatedly characterized such deaths as the unfortunate consequence of jail life and expresses no remorse whatsoever. Conditions in the jail are barbaric. Forty-seven deaths have occurred in the last seven years. While decreasing the overload in state prisons, the results in many county jails have been deadly. The Inmate Information web page can help with VINE registration if the offender is under the custody of the Fresno County Jail. He held a dry-erase board proclaiming to be a Northerner from Reedley, a subsect of the Norteos street gang. Commentary: Growing Up Is Imperative, but Wont Solve Our Housing Problem, Enter the maximum amount you want to pay each month. Tour members may be subjected to vulgar and/or obscene manners of communication. Share with friends A 47-year-old state prison inmate received a 25-years-to-life sentence on Wednesday for trying to orchestrate the murder of a rival gang member in October, the Fresno County District Attorney's Office said in a news release. Correctional Officer Scanlan, 46, began his career with the Fresno County Probation Department in June 1998 and joined the Fresno County Sheriff's Office in April 2006. Unfortunately those reasons are not always attributed to the rise and fall of the crime rate. The Fresno County Jail has been under a federal consent decree since 2015. The agreement requires the sheriff to hire 127 additional correctional officers to protect and provide services to inmates. Get our investigations delivered to your inbox with the Big Story newsletter. On Jan. 18, 2018, Erkins rolled through an intersection without stopping while driving Meza to work, with his children in the backseat.