ORANGE, Ca. (December 18, 2020) –A 68-year-old male inmate housed at the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange died this morning at 5 a.m. of medical complications after testing positive for COVID-19.
The inmate, Eddie Lee Anderson of River Ridge, LA, was booked into jail by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department on July 1, 2019 on suspicion of homicide. Anderson is suspected of the 1976 murder of Leslie Penrod Harris, and was identified in 2019 by the Orange County Cold Case Homicide Task Force.
Anderson tested positive for COVID-19 within the last week, and was transferred to a local hospital on December 13. He is the first Orange County Jail inmate to die from medical complications of COVID-19. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 1,260 Orange County Jail inmates have tested positive for COVID-19.
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.
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The windows were too dark to see in, but K-9 Remi knew what she was looking for was inside.

The floppy-eared bloodhound sniffed the silver car then stopped, her nose pressed against the door. Her handler, Deputy Assayag, knew this meant good news.

A patrol deputy used his flashlight to cut through the deep tint of the windows to find who they were looking for – a 70-year-old woman who had wandered from her home hours earlier.

A Mission Viejo man called the Sheriff’s Department at about 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 16, asking for help to find his wife. He had checked the house and the neighborhood and was unable to find her.

Patrol deputies began their search on the ground while Duke, the Sheriff’s Department patrol helicopter, circled above the homes near Jeronimo Road and Alicia Parkway. Deputy Assayag and Remi also were called in to help.

Shortly after beginning her search, Remi alerted to the parked car in the neighborhood to find the woman safe inside and sitting in the passenger seat. Deputies learned the vehicle, which was not related to the family, had been left unlocked.

Good girl, Remi!

We are grateful this team was able to safely reunite this woman with her family.

On September 11, 2019 deputies were involved in a use of force in the city of Lake Forest. The use of force was determined to be within policy.  Link to responsive records https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.19-035017.zip  

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

• Read more about 19-035017 Use of Force

On July 15, 2019 deputies were involved in a use of force in the unincorporated are of La Mirada.  The subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The use of force was determined to be within policy. Link to responsive records -  https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.19-027020.zip  Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

• Read more about 19-027020 Use of Force

On April 3, 2019 deputies were involved in a use of force in the unincorporated area of Fullerton. The use of force was determined to be within policy.  Link to responsive records -  https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.19-012737.zip  Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

• Read more about 19-012737 Use of Force

On February 9, 2019 deputies were involved in a use of force in the city of Rancho Santa Margarita. The use of force was determined to be within policy. Training issues were identified and corrective action was addressed. Link to responsive records- https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.19-005291.zip   Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

• Read more about 19-005291 Use of Force

On January 19, 2019 deputies were involved in a use of force in the city of Lake Forest.  The use of force was determined to be within policy.  Link to responsive records - https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/UOF/UOF.19-002419.zip  Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

• Read more about 19-002419 Use of Force

On June 29, 2014 an OIS occurred in the unincorporated are of Ladera Ranch.  This case was investigated by the Orange County District Attorney's office and no criminal charges were filed.  Link to responsive records - https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/OIS/OIS.14-121963.zip Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

• Read more about 14-121963 Officer Involved Shooting (OIS)

SANTA ANA, Ca. (December 11, 2020): Please see the statement below from Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes.

“We have received an order from the court in a case regarding COVID-19 in the Orange County jails. The order mandates a significant reduction of the jail's inmate population. We are evaluating the order, its impacts and our options for appeal. If the order stands, it will result in the release of more than 1,800 inmates.  Many of these inmates are in pre-trial status for, or have been convicted of, violent crimes and will be released back into the community. This order puts our community at substantial risk and does not take into account the impact on the victims of these crimes.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Public Affairs Director Carrie Braun
CBraun@ocsd.org | C: 714-904-7042
Be Safe, Be Sober This Holiday Season // National Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign Begins Dec. 14

Orange County, CA (December 11, 2020) – This holiday season, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind the public about the importance of being safe and sober while driving.

While the COVID-19 pandemic is changing how we celebrate the holidays, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is dedicated to keeping the public safe and urges people to stay at home or use a designated sober driver if you plan to drink.

Starting Dec. 14 through New Year’s Day, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department will have deputies on patrol looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, intended to show zero tolerance for drunk driving and keep roads safe.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs and marijuana can also impair, especially in combination with alcohol and other drugs.

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

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