Investigation continuing after man dies at Riverside County jail
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities say a man who “was in custody and under the care of local hospital staff for pre-existing medical issues unrelated to his incarceration” passed away Tuesday evening, Dec. 22.
The inmate’s death follows on the heels of another in-custody death that happened Tuesday, Dec. 15, after 33-year-old, Jurupa Valley resident Ernie Serrano, who fought first with security guards and then deputies, stopped breathing shortly after being taken into custody.
In a Dec. 21 press conference, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco released three videos filmed by three different sources and said, “One major finding was that Mr. Serrano’s lungs were about twice the size as normal, indicating a drug overdose”
Although the Sheriff also said, “There were no other indications of trauma and no signs of asphyxiation,” attorneys representing the deceased man’s family have disputed the department’s preliminary findings.
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“Deputies assigned to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Robert Presley Detention Center, provided security for this inmate while he was being treated,” Riverside Sheriff’s Correctional Captain James Krachmer reported after the inmate’s death.
“At 7:09 p.m., the inmate’s condition declined,” described Krachmer.
“Medical staff assigned to the hospital performed lifesaving measures,” Krachmer continued; adding, “Despite advanced medical treatment, the inmate was pronounced deceased.”
The inmate’s name has not been released pending notification of the man’s family.
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Corrections Intelligence Bureau has since assumed the death investigation.
SEE RELATED:
Man dies in hospital after use of force with Jurupa Valley deputies
“There are no signs of foul play and due to the ongoing status of the investigation, no further information is available at this time,” Krachmer reported.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Investigator Justino Flores at (951) 696-3050. Callers can refer to incident file number RC203570001 and can remain anonymous.
This is a developing story that will be updated as new information becomes available.
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Trevor Montgomery, 49, moved in 2017 to the Intermountain area of Shasta County from Riverside County and runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes or has written for several other news organizations; including Riverside County based newspapers, Valley News, (the now defunct) Valley Chronicle, Anza Valley Outlook, and Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle; as well as Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County and Mountain Echo in Shasta County.
Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back, and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident. (Click here to see segment of Discovery Channel documentary of Trevor’s accident.)
During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations; including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, and Lake Elsinore Station; along with other locations.
Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team, and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.
Trevor has been married for more than 30 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and his “fluid family” includes 13 children and 18 grandchildren.