News Releases

Inmate Apprehended After Walking Away from Growlersburg Conservation Camp

MODESTO – Edgar Benitez, an incarcerated man who walked away from the Growlersberg Conservation Camp in El Dorado County, was apprehended this afternoon by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Correctional Safety.

Utilizing various investigative techniques, special agents were able to locate Benitez in front of a residence in Modesto at 4:30 p.m. He was taken into custody without incident.

Benitez will be transported and rehoused at Sierra Conservation Center and his case will be referred to for consideration of charges.

At approximately 11 p.m. on Friday, July 24, Benitez was discovered missing from his assigned housing area. A search was immediately launched by CDCR’s camp staff and the Office of Correctional Safety was activated. CAL FIRE and local law enforcement agencies were notified and assisted in the search.

Benitez was received from Los Angeles County on Dec. 26, 2017. He was sentenced to serve nine years for driving under the influence causing bodily injury/death.

Since 1977, 99 percent of all offenders who have left an adult institution, camp or community-based program without permission have been apprehended.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: OPEC@cdccr.ca.gov