On January 30, 2017, a deputy was involved in an officer involved shooting in the unincorporated area of Santa Ana. The case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and no criminal charges were filed. The Officer Involved Shooting was determined to be within policy.
On May 12, 2015, deputies were involved in an officer involved shooting in the City of Rancho Santa Margarita. The case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and no criminal charges were filed. Policy violations were identified and discipline issued.
On September 24, 2013, a deputy was involved in an officer involved shooting in the City of Laguna Niguel. The case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's Office and no criminal charges were filed. The Officer Involved Shooting was determined to be within policy.
SANTA ANA, Ca. (June 10, 2021) –The Orange County Superior Court on Thursday, June 10, ordered the dismissal of a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California (ACLU) seeking the release of hundreds of inmates due to COVID-19.
An earlier ruling in the lawsuit, filed by the ACLU in June 2020, called for a 50 percent reduction in the jail population, which could have resulted in the release of more than 1,800 inmates back into the community. Many of the inmates were in pre-trial status for, or convicted of, violent crimes. Through the combined efforts of Sheriff’s Department personnel and Correctional Health Services staff, the Orange County Jail was able to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 while prioritizing public safety without releasing dangerous inmates.
“Navigating the pandemic presented challenges, but I am proud of the exceptional work of our personnel who continued to provide for the health and safety of inmates in our custody,” said Sheriff-Coroner Don Barnes. “Most importantly, we accomplished this work without releasing dangerous criminal offenders and compromising public safety. This ruling validates the extraordinary innovation, diligence and dedication of custody personnel and Correctional Health Services staff.”
SANTA ANA, Ca. (June 1, 2021) –A 32-year-old male inmate housed at the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana died the evening of May 30, 2021 of a suspected suicide.
The inmate, Robert Martin of Santa Ana, was booked into jail in May 2021 by the Costa Mesa Police Department on suspicion of attempted murder, domestic violence, cruelty to a child, false imprisonment and a probation violation. He was located in his cell around 7 p.m. and deputies and medical staff attempted lifesaving measures. The inmate was pronounced deceased by the Orange County Fire Authority at approximately 7:45 p.m.
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 (May 27, 2021) The Orange County Sheriff’s Department is partnering with the California Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to invite business owners and their employees to participate in a free online training program that encourages safe and responsible alcoholic beverage service.
The Licensee Education on Alcohol and Drugs (LEAD) program is available online and is free for all ABC licensees. The curriculum is designed for licensees, managers and employees, and it provides the licensee and applicant with practical information on serving alcoholic beverages safely, responsibly and legally. It also provides guidance on preventing illicit drug activity at the licensed establishment.
The LEAD program began on January 1, 1991 with a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety. Since February 1995, the LEAD Program has trained over 200,000 people.
This training helps businesses better understand their responsibilities, and provides them with the tools and knowledge they need to promote reasonable consumption and contribute to making communities safer.
ABC licensed businesses and their employees who are interested in taking this online course can sign up online at: www.abc.ca.gov. This project is part of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s Alcohol Policing Partnership.
San Clemente, Ca. (June 15, 2021) – The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a DUI/Driver’s License Checkpoint on Friday, June 18, from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m. at an undisclosed location in the city of San Clemente.
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.
Santa Ana, Ca. (May 18, 2021):Orange County Sheriff’s investigators arrested a 26-year-old man as part of a larger Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation targeting drug dealers selling or providing opioids to individuals who suffered drug-related deaths.
Jason Amin Soheili, 26, of Laguna Hills, was arrested Wednesday, May 12, as part of the Overdose Justice Task Force, a multi-agency effort to address opioid-related deaths in the Los Angeles area, including in Orange County. The United States Attorney’s Office announced Thursday, May 13, the filing of 11 cases against 12 defendants, including Soheili.
In July 2020, Sheriff’s investigators discovered Soheili advertising drugs for sale through a popular social media app. After several weeks of investigation, a search warrant was issued for Soheili’s residence. Investigators seized items indicating illegal drug activity, including various drugs, weapons and U.S. currency. Soheili was arrested on August 12, 2020. He posted bond on August 13, 2020.
In November 2020, investigators discovered Soheili was again advertising drugs for sale on social media. A second search warrant was executed, resulting in the seizure of additional drugs and firearms. Soheili was again arrested on November 20, 2020. He posted bond the same day.
In March 2021, the Sheriff’s Department was contacted regarding the death of an individual in a drug rehabilitation program in Utah. The victim, who had moved to Utah from Orange County to participate in the program, received a parcel containing fentanyl.
The package was recovered with Soheili’s fingerprints at the victim’s residence. Soheili was arrested and charged in Federal Court with distribution of narcotics resulting in death. He is being held without bond and is expected to be arraigned June 1, 2021.
If convicted, Soheili faces a mandatory minimum 20-year sentence and a potential maximum sentence of life without parole in federal prison.
“Earlier this year, I met with families who lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning and heard firsthand how this dangerous drug has affected our community.” said Don Barnes, Sheriff-Coroner. “In partnership with local, state and federal agencies, we will continue attacking this epidemic on all fronts to hold accountable those who supply illegal narcotics.”
The DEA’s Overdose Justice Task Force was formed in 2018 and commissioned with proactively targeting drug traffickers who distribute opioids, including fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. For the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s full release visit: U.S. DOJ Press Release.
On September 18, 2020, a Deputy was involved in an officer involved shooting in the City of Stanton. The case is currently being investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's office.
