SOLEDAD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Dec. 14, 2023, death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) as a homicide.
At approximately 8:40 a.m., officers saw two incarcerated people, David Pacheco and Adrian Lopez, allegedly attack a third incarcerated person, Oracio Ramirez, on the recreational yard.
Staff immediately responded, issuing verbal orders to stop and used one less-than-lethal 40mm direct impact round to quell the attack.
An ambulance was summoned while staff performed life-saving measures on Ramirez. Ramirez was pronounced deceased at 9:02 a.m.
An inmate manufactured weapon was recovered at the scene. Pacheco and Lopez have been placed in restricted housing and population movement has been limited. An investigation continues by SVSP’s Investigative Services Unit and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General was notified, and the Monterey County Coroner will determine Ramirez’s official cause of death.
No staff members or additional incarcerated people were injured as a result of this incident.
Ramirez, 30, was received from Tulare County on Oct. 27, 2014. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder, second-degree robbery, and criminal gang activity. While incarcerated, Ramirez was sentenced in Los Angeles County, May 16, 2023, to serve nine years for second-degree attempted murder.
Lopez, 23, was received from Santa Clara County on July 6, 2021. He was sentenced to three years for second-degree attempted murder, second-degree attempted robbery, discharge firearm inhabited dwelling/vehicle/aircraft, criminal gang activity, and attempted carjacking.
Pacheco, 39, was received from Los Angeles County on June 21, 2006. He was sentenced to life with possibility of parole for first-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, and possession firearm ex-felon. While incarcerated, Pacheco was sentenced in Imperial County on May 24, 2012, to serve one year, four months for assault by prisoner with deadly weapon or force likely to cause great bodily injury. In addition, he was sentenced in Imperial County on Jan. 30, 2014, to serve two years for assault by prisoner with deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury. He was sentenced in Imperial County on March 18, 2022, to serve two years for possession of manufactured weapon.
SVSP opened in May 1996 in Monterey County. The institution provides long-term housing for 2,950 minimum- and maximum-custody male inmates and employees approximately 1,600 people.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 14, 2023
Contact: OPEC Press Office OPEC@cdcr.ca.gov