deaths in custody San Diego

SHERIFF ANNOUNCES DRUG AND CONTRABAND SCREENINGS FOR JAIL EMPLOYEES AND CONTRACTORS

By Miriam Raftery
 
July 13, 2024 (San Diego) – San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez this week announced that random screenings for drugs and contraband will be implemented for all personnel assigned to county jails, as well as for contractors and others with business in county detention facilities, though not public visitation areas. Belongings will also be screened.
 
To protect security, the details, locations and frequency of screenings is not being disclosed, however a Sheriff’s K-9 dog trained to detect drugs will be present. 
 
The action aims to further reduce San Diego’s high rate of in-custody deaths. In 2022, a state auditor report found that 185 people died in San Diego County jails from 2006 to 2020. Since then, Sheriff Kelly Martinez has rolled out many reforms which have reduced jail deaths, most of which occurred in people being held awaiting hearings. Her actions have reduced, but not eliminated jail deaths; six people have died in custody locally so far this year.

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HOMELESS MAN ARRESTED IN SANTEE ON MISDEMEANORS DIES IN JAIL NEXT DAY

Death prompts investigations; sister seeks funds to pay for cremation
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo: Richard Woodford with his sister, Brittney Lawley of San Carlos
 
July 2, 2024 (Santee) – Richard Woodford, 42, a 2020 Patrick Henry graduate who was reportedly homeless when arrested last week in Santee, died in the San Diego Central Jail a day later. 
 
The Sheriff’s department says the death is being investigated by its homicide unit, as well as the county’s Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board. But an attorney suing the county over alleged lapses in care for persons in custody suggests that Woodford’s death may have been due to inadequate care during drug withdrawal.

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THIRD INMATE THIS YEAR DIES IN SAN DIEGO SHERIFF’S CUSTODY

East County News Service
 
February 7, 2024 (San Diego) – A man presumed to be homeless was arrested by San Diego Police for felony vandalism last June. On February 4, Liutoa Vitale Vili, 54, died in a hospital while still in custody.
 
A deputy and a nurse handing out medications in a housing unit at the Central Jail when they found Vili in need of medical evaluation. While being taken for that evaluation, he became unresponsive and rescue efforts were immediately administered, according to the Sheriff’s department.

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LAS COLINAS INMATE VIANNA GRANILLO, 25, DIED OF SEPTIC SHOCK

Mother says victim had hole in her stomach and underwent surgery before dying

By Miriam Raftery

July 20, 2023 (Santee) – An autopsy has determined that 25-year-old Vianna Marissa “Vee” Granillo died of septic shock after being transferred to a hospital from the Las Colinas detention facility in Santee.

Septic shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a person’s blood pressure drops dangerously low due to an infection.  Treatments at a hospital may include oxygen therapy, IV fluids,medication, antibiotics, or surgery, according to the National Institute of  Health.

Granillo had been arrested by Sheriff’s deputies on July 8 for violation of a court order and was transferred from the Vista detention facility to Las Colinas that evening.  Shortly before 2 a.m.on July 12, deputies conducting a safety check found her unresponsive in her cell, according to Lieutenant Chris Steffen.


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