Inmate is killed in the Monterey County Jail.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an assault at the Monterey County Jail that has left one incarcerated person dead. The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Victor Guido-Castro of Salinas, according to Commander Andy Rosas.

Shortly after 6am on March 30, deputies responded to a disturbance in one of the jail housing units to find an inmate that had been assaulted by another incarcerated male.

“There were other incarcerated persons in that area,” Rosas says. “It was originally reported by jail staff who witnessed a fight taking place and immediately called for deputies to address the issue.” 

Jail medical staff and deputies immediately began administering emergency aid, before the victim was eventually sent to Natividad Medical Center for advanced medical care where he was later pronounced dead.

The suspect was identified as 38-year-old Saul Roberto Espinoza of Palmdale, who is currently in custody serving a sentence for vehicle theft with priors, providing false information to a peace officer and possession of stolen property. 

The details of what happened are still unknown. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division is conducting a criminal investigation of the victim’s death, as well as requesting assistance from the coroner’s division of the Sheriff’s Office to confirm the victim’s cause and manner of death.

“Detectives are interviewing witnesses and trying to gather information,” Rosas says. “This happened within the common area of the housing unit so there were other incarcerated persons and jail staff in that area who witnessed the fight.”

The last death of an inmate in the jail was on Jan. 16 this year, who was identified as Elisa Sanchez, 37, of King City. The cause of her death is still pending.