Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said Wednesday he is terminating the county’s agreement with U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to house federal detainees, saying he needs the jail space to accommodate growing numbers of inmates with mental health issues.
The Orange County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to solicit bids from four pre-qualified contractors for a $167-million expansion of the James A. Musick Facility — a minimum-security jail in Irvine.
The decision launches the next stage of the Orange County Sheriff Department’s effort to grow its jail system.
An Orange County Superior Court judge has rejected an attempt by the union representing sheriff’s deputies to block the release of disciplinary records under a new state police transparency law. Judge Nathan Scott ruled Thursday that public accountability trumped the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs’ fight to protect the privacy of its members. Scott, however, let stand the seal on personnel documents until March 15 to give the association time to file an appeal.
The union that represents Orange County sheriff’s deputies on Wednesday announced an agreement with the department to address concerns raised in a lawsuit alleging that unsafe jail conditions and staff reductions led to the high-profile escape of three inmates in 2016.
Orange County’s top law enforcement posts changed hands on Monday, as Todd Spitzer was sworn in as district attorney and Don Barnes ascended to become sheriff.
One of our members has experienced the tragic loss of both his sister-in-law and niece in a multi-vehicle accident on the Garden Grove (22) Freeway. Deputy Anthony Alvarez and his family are mourning the loss of 33-year-old Jolene Castillo and her nine-year-old daughter, Payton Castillo. Jolene’s young son survived the crash and was not hurt but he and his older brother are now left without a mother and sister.
Tonight on NBC’s “Dateline,” correspondent Keith Morrison reports on the 2010 murder of San Juan Capistrano businessman, Chris Smith. Edward Shin, Smith’s then business partner, was convicted of first-degree murder one week ago today. Shin, who sent emails to Smith’s family and friends pretending to be the 33-year-old after he was already dead, was found guilty of special-circumstances murder for financial gain.
We regret to inform you that Deputy Terrence (Terry) M. Lundy (ret.) has passed away. Deputy Lundy joined the Orange County Sheriff’s Department nearly 50 years ago in 1969. He worked South Patrol, Special Operations, Transportation and finally Harbor Patrol.
This is a tragic day, one that has become far too common. A gunman opened fire last night at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks. The shooter killed 12 people, including Sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Helus from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department. Sgt. Helus was a 29-year law enforcement veteran, who was set to retire soon. Helus entered that bar with the intention of saving lives and sadly lost his own life in doing so. He is a true hero and will always be remembered as such.
The general election is less than two weeks away on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. When you cast your ballot, please remember to keep law enforcement in mind. Here is a list of the candidates and measures AOCDS is endorsing: