Aliso Viejo, Ca. (September 22, 2022): Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail arrested Jose Farias, 29, of San Juan Capistrano, on Wednesday, September 21, for battery.
Farias was employed as a phlebotomist at a medical laboratory in Aliso Viejo when the assaults occurred. On August 29, an 18-year-old female reported she was assaulted in a sexual manner by Farias while giving blood. She contacted the Sheriff’s Department to report the incident. On Tuesday, September 20, a 30-year-old woman reported she was assaulted in the same manner by Farias while giving blood at the laboratory.
Due to Farias’ access to patients who came for blood draws, investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking the for the public’s help. He was booked into Orange County Jail on September 21.
Anyone with information regarding possible additional victims or with information they believe may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7419, or submit an anonymous tip to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.
ORANGE, Ca. (September 2, 2022) – On Thursday, September 1, 2022, aninmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died at the hospital.
The 57-year-old inmate was booked into jail on August 27, 2022, by the Anaheim Police Department for a probation violation. The inmate’s name is being withheld pending notification to next of kin.
The inmate was found unresponsive in his cell by jail staff on September 1, 2022. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. 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.
SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 16, 2022): During Child Passenger Safety Week, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will help parents and caregivers with installing child safety seats.
“We are here to offer parents and caregivers guidance and reassurances that their child is as safe in a car seat as possible while riding in the car,” Orange County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant John Hopkins said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nearly half of car seats (46%) are misused.
California law requires all children under 2 years old to ride in a rear-facing car seat, unless the child is 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches tall. Parents are encouraged to keep your child in rear- and forward-facing seats as long as possible. Children 8 and older, who are at least 4 feet, 9 inches in height, may ride in the back seat of a vehicle in a properly fitted safety belt.
To learn more about the Orange County Sheriff’s Department car seat program, contact the Sheriff’s Regional Traffic Bureau at (949) 425-1860.
To search for car seat programs in your county, visit the OTS website. You may also contact your local CHP Area Office to schedule a free child safety seat inspection.
MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (September 1, 2022): Members of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Special Victims Detail arrested Gil Franco Carpentero, 64, of Tustin, on Thursday, September 1, for lewd and lascivious acts on a dependent adult.
Carpentero has been a caretaker of Intellectual/Developmental Disabled adults for 10 years. He was employed at a facility in Mission Viejo when the sexual assault occurred. In December 2021, a dependent adult female reported she was sexually assaulted by Carpentero at a care facility in Mission Viejo. Family members contacted the Sheriff’s Department to report the incident. Evidence was recently received linking Carpentero to the reported incident.
Due to Carpentero’s access to Intellectual/Developmental Disabled adults, Investigators believe there may be additional victims and are asking the for the public’s help. He is currently in custody at the Orange County Jail with bail set at $100,000.
Anyone with information regarding possible additional victims or with information they believe may assist in this investigation is asked to contact the Orange County Sheriff’s Department at (714) 647-7419, or submit an anonymous tip to OC Crime Stoppers at 855-TIP-OCCS (855-847-6227) or at occrimestoppers.org.
MISSION VIEJO, Ca. (Aug. 26, 2022) The Orange County Sheriff's and Irvine Police departments on Thursday, Aug. 25, hosted a complex coordinated terrorist attack exercise to evaluate operational strategy and communication between multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies.
The full-scale exercise involved more than 300 law enforcement and fire participants from 10 public safety agencies.
“Conducting a training of this scale is critically important to ensure Orange County public safety agencies test our tactics and preparedness and find areas for improvement,” said Don Barnes, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. “We are dedicated to this type of real-world training because we know the more we practice our response and refine our tactics, the better we can protect our community.”
The exercise was based on a storyline developed by homeland security professional services company, SenseMakers. The scenario began with homegrown violent extremists planning coordinated attacks at two Orange County houses of worship: The Orange County Islamic Foundation mosque in Mission Viejo and Mariners Church in Irvine.
In Mission Viejo, deputies, officers and firefighters responded to a dynamic active shooter incident that included multiple shooters and more than 40 volunteers who played roles as victims. OC Sheriff investigative teams simultaneously held a tabletop exercise to walk through the process of identifying the suspects and piecing together a case.
The Orange County Fire Authority also dedicated multiple engines to the scenario for personnel to train on medical aid procedures for injuries sustained in an active shooter incident.
“The importance of training and identifying successes and challenges when responding with our law enforcement partners cannot be overstated,” said OCFA Fire Chief Brian Fennessy. “In an ever-changing world it is critical that we continually train and be ready to meet the needs of our communities.”
The Irvine scenario included a hostage situation compounded by reports of improvised explosive devices placed throughout the Mariners campus. The Joint Hazard Assessment Team, which includes SWAT teams from multiple jurisdictions, hazmat teams and the OC Sheriff Hazardous Devices Section participated in the exercise that included simulated hazmat, chemical and explosive components.
“The Irvine Police Department is committed to realistic, scenario-based training that will prepare our personnel to effectively respond to acts of violence in our community,” said Irvine Police Chief Michael Kent. We are grateful to Mariners Church and our public safety partners who helped make this training possible.”
Ten public safety agencies participated in this exercise: Anaheim Fire Department, California Highway Patrol (CHP), the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), Huntington Beach PD, Huntington Beach Fire Department, Irvine PD, Laguna Beach PD, OCFA, OC Sheriff and Saddleback College PD. The exercise is paid for by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Area Security Initiative.
The training was funded by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Association’s (FEMA) Urban Area Security Initiative.
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Ca. (Sep. 6, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Sep. 9, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Laguna Niguel.
DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with deputies checking drivers for proper licensing.
The Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
In 2019, 1,066 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads.
The Sheriff’s Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:
Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.
Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
SANTA ANA, Ca. (Sep. 1, 2022): September is Pedestrian Safety Month, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will participate in activities throughout the month encouraging the safety of people walking.
Based on data projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 7,485 people, or an average of 20 people every day, died after being struck by a vehicle last year – an 11.5% increase from 2020 and a 40-year high.
“People should not feel in danger walking,” Sergeant John Hopkins said. “Drivers, please slow down and be aware of people who are walking. If we all look out for one another, we can all get where we need to go safely.”
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department offers safe driving and walking tips, including staying off the phone when behind the wheel or walking:
Drivers
Do not speed, and slow down at intersections. Be prepared to stop for pedestrians at marked and unmarked crosswalks.
Avoid blocking crosswalks while waiting to make a right-hand turn.
Never drive impaired.
Pedestrians
Be predictable. Use signalized crosswalks where drivers may anticipate foot traffic.
Watch for approaching vehicles and practice due care crossing the street. At 30 mph, a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
Make it easier for drivers to see you at night – wear light colors, reflective material and use a flashlight.
Be careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night or on busier streets with higher speed limits.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Ca. (Aug. 26, 2022): The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, Aug. 26, from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of San Juan Capistrano.
DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests. Deputies will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with deputies checking drivers for proper licensing.
The Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.
In 2019, 1,066 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes on California roads.
The Sheriff’s Department offers these reminders to ensure you have a safe night of fun that doesn’t involve a DUI:
Always use a designated sober driver – a friend who is not drinking, ride-share, cab or public transportation – to get home.
See someone who is clearly impaired try and drive? Take the keys and help them make other arrangements to find a sober way home.
Report drunk drivers – Call 911.
Hosting a party? Offer nonalcoholic drinks. Monitor who are drinking and how they are getting home.
Getting home safely is cheap, but getting a DUI is not. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be upwards of $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses, not to mention possible jail time.
Funding for this checkpoint is provided to the Sheriff’s Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
ORANGE, Ca. (Aug. 12, 2022): Orange County Sheriff’s Deputy Arcadio Rodriguez, 30, has been arrested and is pending termination from employment for suspected sexual assault on multiple female inmates at the Theo Lacy Facility.
The Department became aware on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, when jail staff intercepted communication that described the misconduct. An investigation started immediately and the deputy was placed on administrative leave on Aug. 9.
Rodriguez is suspected of establishing an inappropriate relationship with two female inmates at the Theo Lacy Facility. He is alleged to have sexually assaulted the female inmates separately on multiple occasions by touching them in a sexual manner over their clothes and showing them pornographic videos while in their housing locations. The assaults are suspected to have taken place starting in May 2022.
He was booked into Santa Ana Jail today on felony sexual activity between a peace officer and inmate in a jail facility, and misdemeanor charges of assault under the color of authority and possession of a cell phone in a custody facility.
“The suspected criminal actions of this deputy are inexcusable, especially for a person who swore to serve and protect our community,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “One of our most important duties is to provide for the care and wellbeing of the people in our jails. Any betrayal of that responsibility is not indicative of the environment in our jails, or reflective of the hard work of hundreds of deputies and professional staff in custody operations every day.
“I want our community to know how seriously I take these allegations and that I will hold accountable any deputy who chooses to be disloyal to their responsibilities as a peace officer through a swift process.
“I have notified the Office of Independent Review and provided them access to monitor and review this investigation to ensure objectivity and thoroughness.”
The case will be forwarded to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
San Juan Capistrano, Ca. (August 24, 2022): As friends and family plan vacations during the final days of summer, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is reminding everyone to stay safe by always choosing a sober way to go.
No matter how you choose to celebrate the end of summer and Labor Day weekend, make sure you do so responsibly. Take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and your family by buckling up, ditching the distractions, following the speed limit, and never driving impaired.
To help keep our community safe during the busy late summer and Labor Day weekend travel season, the OC Sheriff will have additional officers on patrol Aug. 18 through Labor Day (Sept. 6) looking for drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The increased efforts to address impaired driving are part of a national enforcement campaign, Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will hold a DUI Checkpoint Friday, August 26, 2022, from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. in the City of San Juan Capistrano.
“Driving impaired is risky and puts yourself and others around you in serious danger,” Sergeant John Hopkins said. “If you are taking a road trip over the next few weeks, make good choices and drive like your closest friends and family are in the cars around you.”
In 2020, 1,159 people were killed throughout the state in drunk driving-related crashes, which accounted for 30 percent of all traffic deaths.
Driving while impaired is not just from alcohol. Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and marijuana may also impair. If you plan on drinking or taking medications with a driving warning label, let someone who is sober drive. If you see someone driving impaired, call 9-1-1.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
