| Orange County California - Sheriff's Department

OC Sheriff arrests man attempting to smuggle drugs into jail facility using drone

September 16, 2021

ORANGE, Ca. (Sept. 16, 2021) The Custody Intelligence Unit (CIU) on Tuesday, Sept. 14, arrested a man suspected of using a drone in an attempt to smuggle drugs into the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.

CIU investigators were advised of a drone carrying narcotics that landed in an outdoor recreation area of the jail. The drone was carrying 2 grams of heroin, 4 grams of methamphetamine, approximately 15 Xanax pills and approximately 15 muscle relaxers.

Through their investigation, the CIU identified a possible suspect in the city of Costa Mesa and obtained a search warrant for the man’s residence. During their search, investigators confiscated numerous illegal firearms, fentanyl and a controller determined to pair with the drone that landed at Theo Lacy.

The suspect also was found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle and had been renting his residence using fraudulent identification. Investigators also recovered materials determined to be associated with identify theft and fraudulent criminal activity in the man’s residence.

Chey Cody Smart, 43, of Costa Mesa was arrested on suspicion of multiple felony drug and firearms charges, along with grand theft. He was booked into the Orange County Jail on Sept. 14. It also was determined Smart had a warrant for his arrest issued by Mendocino County, California for felony weapons charges.

“The Custody Intelligence Unit is extremely proactive in intercepting narcotics attempting to come into our jails,” said Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “They have adopted an investigative strategy that includes locating the outside entities attempting to bring narcotics into our facilities, and this case is a great example of that work. We will continue to stay diligent in keeping those entrusted to our custody and care safe, and we will hold accountable those who attempt to threaten that safety.”

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OC Sheriff to join Neighbors Public Safety Service by Ring

September 8, 2021

SANTA ANA, Ca (Sept. 8, 2021) The Sheriff’s Department will join Neighbors Public Safety Service, a free application from Ring that will allow the department to engage with the community on public safety-related issues.

The Department is the 18th law enforcement agency in Orange County to join Neighbors Public Safety Service. The Sheriff’s Department will activate its account profiles beginning Thursday, Sept. 9.

Neighbors is a free application that allows residents to share public safety information and stay informed of incidents in their area, while protecting their privacy. The application is available to the public and does not require the use of a Ring home security device.

Sheriff’s Department personnel will be able to share important crime prevention information, safety bulletins and event notifications. In addition, residents can anonymously share relevant video and photos from a crime or incident with the Sheriff’s Department to assist in an investigation.

“Engaged neighbors make for safer communities, and this is another tool we can use to interact with the residents we serve on relevant and important public safety issues,” said Don Barnes, Sheriff-Coroner. “While it is not a replacement for reporting suspicious activity directly to law enforcement, it will be a valuable resource for residents and law enforcement alike.”

How to Use Neighbors:

Download the free Neighbors app on iOS, Android and FireOS devices.

Once downloaded, users can join their neighborhood to share public safety information using video, photos and text-based posts.

Residents can customize alerts and updates from their neighbors, law enforcement and fire agencies.

User profiles are anonymous and residents determine what content to share and whether they want to engage with others, including with law enforcement and fire agencies.

As with any social media application, the platform is not a substitution for reporting crime or suspicious activity to law enforcement. Residents who observe a crime in progress or need assistance from the Sheriff’s Department should call 9-1-1 in an emergency or 714-647-7000 for non-emergency calls.

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September is Pedestrian Safety Month: Be Predictable, Look Out for One Another

September 1, 2021

SANTA ANA, Ca. (September 1, 2021): As part of Pedestrian Safety Month, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is supporting efforts throughout September to improve pedestrian safety and help reduce crashes and injuries.

Pedestrians are more and more at risk on the road. Based on data from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), 2020 had the largest ever annual increase, 21 percent, in the rate at which drivers struck and killed pedestrians. In California, pedestrian deaths accounted for 27 percent of all traffic-related deaths in 2019.

For the safety of everyone walking or driving, OCSD will have additional officers on patrol throughout September looking for California Vehicle Code (CVC) violations pertaining to drivers and pedestrians.

These violations include right-of-way at crosswalks, illegal turns and not stopping for signs or signals (e.g., right turn on red or red light running), and speeding.

OCSD offers steps drivers and pedestrians can take to greatly reduce the risk of getting injured or in a crash, including staying off the phone when behind the wheel or walking:

Pedestrians

Be predictable. Use crosswalks.
Take notice of approaching vehicles and practice due care.
Do not walk or run into the path of a vehicle. No vehicle can stop instantly. At 30 m.p.h., a driver needs at least 90 feet to stop.
Be visible. Make it easy for drivers to see you – wear light colors, reflective material and carry a flashlight, particularly at dawn, dusk or at night.
Be extra careful crossing streets or entering crosswalks at night when it is harder to see, or when crossing busier streets with more lanes and higher speed limits.

Drivers

Follow the speed limit 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.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

OCSD to hold DUI checkpoint in Lake Forest

September 14, 2021

Lake Forest, CA. (September 14, 2021) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, September 17, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of Lake Forest.

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 2018, 1,235 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.

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Assault occurs in Aliso Viejo, Sheriff’s investigators request public’s assistance

August 29, 2021

NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (August 29, 2021) This morning, a woman reported a possible sexual assault that occurred near the area of Pacific Park Drive and Alicia Parkway in Aliso Viejo, near the area where two sexual assaults occurred close to Woodfield Park in 2020.

The victim, a woman in her 40s, reported this morning that the assault occurred last night at approximately 11 p.m. while she was walking alone in the area. She was approached from behind by a suspect who grabbed her and dragged her into bushes nearby the Aliso Creek Trail. The woman lost consciousness and when she awoke, the suspect was no longer there. Due to the circumstances, the victim was unable to provide a description of the suspect or what occurred after she was kidnapped and dragged into the bushes. She is fully cooperating with Investigators.

This morning, deputies conducted a thorough search of the area where the assault occurred. Special Victims Detail investigators are leading the investigation and will work with the Orange County Crime Lab to determine if suspect DNA can be collected. If DNA is collected, it will be analyzed to determine if it matches DNA from the 2020 incidents.

“It is vital that this individual is identified and doesn’t have the opportunity to attack again,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “While our investigators continue their tireless attempts to identify this suspect, we implore the community to come forward if they have any information to share.”

On January 20, 2020 a sexual assault occurred in the area of Woodfield Park in Aliso Viejo. A 22-year-old woman reported that while she was skateboarding, an unknown man attempted to talk to her then unexpectedly grabbed the victim, who fought and screamed during the incident.

The second incident occurred on Thursday, April 2, 2020 when deputies responded to Woodfield Park after a woman reported a man grabbed her from behind and forced her into the bushes off the hiking trail, just east of the baseball fields. The victim, a female in her 30s, fought back and screamed for help, and the suspect fled the area. The suspect was described as a man is his mid-30s, dark eyes, little-to-no hair, a muscular build, wearing a black shirt, black shorts and tennis shoes.

Working with the Orange County Crime Lab, suspect DNA was collected from both victims. The suspect DNA profiles from both incidents matched, but does not match DNA in existing law enforcement databases. Following the 2020 incidents, the Sheriff’s Department set up a task force to identify and arrest the suspect. A team of more than 100 Sheriff’s Department personnel ran multiple operations in the area. In addition, investigators worked with local businesses on leads and launched a public information campaign that included social media, traditional media and text message alerts. Despite a concerted effort, the task force operations did not result in a suspect being identified.

If you have information or may be able to identify the suspect, contact the Special Victims Detail at 714-647-7419 or Dispatch at 714-647-7000. Anonymous information may be provided through Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855- TIP-OCCS.

***Suspect sketches from the January and April 2020 incidents are below***

19-135 Sustained Dishonesty

In October 2020, a Deputy was found to be dishonest in the performance of duty, Discipline was issued and served.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/SF-Dishonesty/Sustained%20Finding%20of%20Dishonesty.19-135.zip