DELANO – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated person at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) as a homicide. On Monday, May 13, 2024, at approximately 2:19 p.m., two incarcerated people, Andrew L. Espinoza and Frank Vasquez, allegedly attacked another incarcerated person, Raul E. Mendoza. Two inmate-manufactured weapons were recovered at the scene. Mendoza sustained multiple puncture wounds and life-saving measures were performed. He was taken to an outside medical facility for a higher level of care where he remained ..read more

SUISUN CITY–California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are seeking a minimum-security incarcerated person who walked away from Delta Conservation Camp in Solano County on Monday, May 13. James Xiong, 36, was last seen at 7 a.m. during the breakfast meal. When Xiong failed to report for work at 9 a.m., camp staff immediately launched a search of the camp buildings and grounds. CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety, CAL FIRE, and local law enforcement agencies have been notified and are assisting in the search. Xiong is 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He ..read more

BAKERSFIELD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials today announced the apprehension of a person who walked away from the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) in Kern County on Friday, May 10, 2024. Johnny Travis, aged 51, was apprehended in Bakersfield at approximately 6:30 p.m. by CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety after he removed his GPS device. Travis will be transported to North Kern State Prison where he will be returned to CDCR custody. His case will be referred to the Kern County District Attorney for possible escape charges. Travis was ..read more

BAKERSFIELD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are seeking a person who walked away from the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) facility in Kern County on Friday, May 10, 2024. At about 2:28 p.m., officials were alerted that incarcerated person Johnny Travis had removed his GPS device. An emergency count of the MCRP was conducted immediately, confirming Travis was missing. CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety and local law enforcement agencies have been notified and are assisting in the search. Johnny Travis, 51, is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 173 ..read more

SUSANVILLE – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the May 3, 2024, death of an incarcerated person at High Desert State Prison (HDSP) as a homicide. At 9:31 a.m., two incarcerated people, John Patch and Zachary Harris, allegedly attacked another incarcerated person, Scott Cook. Two inmate-manufactured weapons were recovered at the scene. Staff immediately responded to the attack and discovered that Cook sustained multiple stab wounds. Life-saving measures were performed, and he was transported to the triage and treatment area. Cook was pron ..read more

FRESNO – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials announced today the apprehension of a person who walked away April 28 from the Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP)‑Stockton.  At approximately 10:25 p.m. last night, Estefani Saldana-Lemus, 27, was apprehended in Fresno without incident by CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety. Saldana-Lemus was transported to the Central California Women’s Facility for reception. Saldana-Lemus’ case will be referred to the San Joaquin District Attorney for possible escape charges. Saldana-Lemus was received from Fresno C ..read more

COALINGA – On April 29, 2024, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) arrested Pleasant Valley State Prison (PVSP) Correctional Sargeant Greg Reinaldo Clark inside the secure perimeter of the prison. Clark, 51, was found to be in possession of fentanyl, among other narcotics. Clark has resigned. “Clark’s selfish acts put himself, PVSP staff and the incarcerated population in danger,” PVSP Warden Steve Smith said. “That is one of the most detestable acts one can commit in a peace officer position. A huge thank you to the investigative team for their hard work and dedi ..read more

VACAVILLE – John Thomson, 64, died on April 29, 2024, while incarcerated at California Medical Facility (CMF). He was discovered unresponsive in his cell in the CMF hospice unit and pronounced deceased by medical staff at 5:52 p.m. The Solano County Coroner’s Office will determine his official cause of death. Thomson was sentenced by San Bernardino County on April 4, 2014, and placed on condemned status. He was convicted of first-degree murder with an enhancement for personal use of a dangerous or deadly weapon. He was also sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for carjacking and at ..read more

STOCKTON – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are seeking a person who walked away from the Female Community Reentry Program (FCRP)-Stockton on April 28th. Estefani Saldana-Lemus, 27, was reported missing after a routine security check at 9:52 p.m. Staff immediately launched a search and conducted an emergency count. CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety and local law enforcement agencies have been notified and are assisting in the search. Saldana-Lemus was last seen wearing all black. She is 5’1″ tall, weighs 222 pounds, and has brown eyes and brown hair ..read more

SAN DIEGO – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials announced the apprehension today of a person who walked away at approximately 9:12 p.m. last night from the Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) in San Diego.  At approximately 8:55 a.m., Eric Lewis, 52, was apprehended in San Diego without incident by CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety. He was transported to Richard J. Donovan for reception. His case will be referred to the San Diego District Attorney for possible escape charges. Lewis was most recently received from San Diego County on May 10, 2023 ..read more