OC Jail Inmate Scalded, 3 Deputies Placed On Administrative Leave

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, CA —An Orange County Sheriff’s deputy is suspected of assaulting a male inmate in the Orange County Jail in early April, according to department spokeswoman Carrie Braun. That deputy was placed on leave, and the case is now being reviewed by the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

Three deputies are now on administrative leave, and an investigation in the incident was launched.

The names of the deputies and the inmate were not released upon request.

On April 1, a deputy in the mental health-housing module at the Intake Release Center "served a disciplinary notice to an inmate," Braun said. The unidentified officers ordered the inmate to sign a notice through the cell door hatch.

The inmate refused to sign the notice and instead he extended his arms through the open hatch on the door, according to Braun.

"The inmate then refused to bring his arms back inside the cell, preventing the deputy from securing the hatch," Braun said.

The deputy left and returned a short time later with two other deputies who could help get the inmate to "voluntarily comply" with putting his arms back inside the door.

"The deputies approached the inmate and again requested his compliance to bring his hands back inside the cell," Braun said. Again, the inmate refused.

At that time, one deputy allegedly threw hot water on the inmate’s arm.

Later, during a security check, the inmate told another deputy that he was injured from the hot water and requested medical assistance.

"The inmate had visible injuries and was provided medical attention," Braun said.

The following day, on April 2, three deputies from the Intake Release Center were placed on administrative leave. An internal criminal investigation was immediately launched and the case was submitted Wednesday to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.

“I am absolutely intolerant of this behavior,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “Deputies working in the Orange County Jail are responsible for providing care and safety for the inmates in our custody, not causing harm or injury. Unfortunately, the actions of one can reflect on the many, but I want to make it clear that this is not indicative of the conduct of deputies inside the Orange County Jail. I have reiterated to our personnel that anything that even resembles this type of inexcusable behavior will not be allowed and that anyone who goes beyond their training and Department policy will be held fully accountable. We have completed a criminal investigation and submitted it to the District Attorney’s Office for a prosecutorial decision. It is my expectation that the District Attorney will review this case in a timely manner to determine if charges are warranted.”

The Department will continue its internal affairs investigation to determine whether policy violations were committed, a separate process from the criminal investigation.

The names of the three deputies are not being released due to protections provided under state law.