January 9, 2024 - IMPERIAL—The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is investigating the Jan. 7, 2024, death of an incarcerated person at Centinela State Prison (CEN) as a homicide.
At approximately 2:14 p.m., officers observed two incarcerated individuals, David Veloz and Rigoberto Estrada, allegedly attacking a third incarcerated person, Enrique Saucedo, on the recreational yard. Staff immediately responded, issuing verbal orders to stop, however, it required seven applications of O.C. Pepper Spray to quell the attack.
An ambulance was summoned while staff performed life-saving measures on Saucedo. Subsequently, he was transported to a medical center for a higher level of care. The institution was notified that he succumbed to his injuries in the emergency room. Saucedo was pronounced deceased at 5:49 p.m.
Two inmate-manufactured weapons were recovered at the scene. Veloz and Estrada have been placed in restricted housing, and population movement has been limited. An investigation continues by CSP-CEN’s Investigative Services Unit and the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General was notified, and the Imperial County Coroner will determine Saucedo’s official cause of death.
No staff members or additional incarcerated individuals were injured as a result of this incident.
Saucedo, 29, was sentenced to CDCR on Nov. 01, 2018, from Los Angeles County to serve a 14-year sentence for one count of manufacturing/selling/distributing/transporting assault weapons and one count of transporting/importing a controlled substance. He was transferred to CDCR custody on Nov. 27, 2018.
Veloz, 40, was sentenced to CDCR on Jan. 21, 2009, from Los Angeles County to serve 25 years to life for attempted murder. He was transferred to CDCR custody on Feb. 23, 2009.
Estrada, 45, was sentenced to CDCR on Oct. 12, 2006, from Riverside County to serve two life sentences with the possibility of parole for one count of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. He was transferred to CDCR custody on Nov. 9, 2006.
CEN was named after Cerro Centinela, the Spanish name for Mount Signal which straddles the U.S.-Mexico border. The prison opened in October 1993. For more information, visit www.cdcr.ca.gov.
Source: CDCR
