March 19, 2024 - Monterey County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on March 17, 2024, about 6:00 P.M. (1800 hours), two Monterey County Sheriff deputies entered the K-Block housing unit of the Monterey County Jail, after they were advised of an incarcerated person tattooing another incarcerated person.  This is a violation of Monterey County Jail rules. Upon contacting one of the incarcerated persons, he began to back up and push away from both Deputies. Without warning 4 more incarcerated persons rushed in and surrounded the Deputies and began to repeatedly hit them with closed fists. 

During the attack one of the incarcerated persons took a Deputy’s baton and began to repeatedly hit the deputy in the head and back. Multiple additional deputies responded to the housing unit and began to order the incarcerated persons to the ground. During this time, one of the incarcerated persons threw the baton which had been taken from a deputy which struck another Deputies causing injury. A short time later, order was restored to the housing unit. The housing unit was searched, and narcotics were located. 

Two of the injured Deputies were transported via ambulance, and one was transported via a patrol vehicle to be treated at a local area hospital for serious injuries sustained in the attack. All three of the Deputies were later released from the hospital and are recovering from their injuries.

The following incarcerated subjects will be facing additional charges listed below: 

1. Rodriguez, Mario A.,
i. PC 664/187(a) Attempted Murder, Felony, Bail: $2,140,000.0
ii. PC 182(A)(1) Conspiracy to Commit Crime, Felony
iii. PC 186.22(a) Participate in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Felony
iv. PC 245(c) Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not firearm), Felony
v. PC 148(b) Take Non-Firearm from Peace Officer, Felony
vi. PC 243(d) Battery w/Serious Bodily Injury, Felony

2. Valdez, Joey
i. PC 664/187(a) Attempted Murder, Felony, Bail: $2,140,000.0
ii. PC 182(A)(1) Conspiracy to Commit Crime, Felony
iii. PC 186.22(a) Participate in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Felony
iv. PC 245(c) Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not firearm), Felony
v. PC 243(d) Battery w/Serious Bodily Injury, Felony

3. Villareal, Adam
i. PC 664/187(a) Attempted Murder, Felony, Bail: $2,140,000.0
ii. PC 182(A)(1) Conspiracy to Commit Crime, Felony
iii. PC 186.22(a) Participate in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Felony
iv. PC 245(c) Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not firearm), Felony
v. PC 243(d) Battery w/Serious Bodily Injury, Felony

4. Solorio, Justin M.
i. PC 664/187(a) Attempted Murder, Felony, Bail: $2,140,000.0
ii. PC 182(A)(1) Conspiracy to Commit Crime, Felony
iii. PC 186.22(a) Participate in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Felony
iv. PC 245(c) Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not firearm), Felony
v. PC 243(d) Battery w/Serious Bodily Injury, Felony
vi. HS 11351 Possession of Narcotics for Sale, Felony

5. Mejia, Jose A.
i. PC 148(a)(1) Obstruct/Resist Peace Officer, Misdemeanor
ii. HS 11377(a) Possession of a Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
iii. PC 664/187(a) Attempted Murder, Felony, Bail: $2,140,000.0
iv. PC 182(A)(1) Conspiracy to Commit Crime, Felony
v. PC 186.22(a) Participate in Criminal Street Gang Activity, Felony
vi. PC 245(c) Assault with a Deadly Weapon (not firearm), Felony
vii. PC 243(d) Battery w/Serious Bodily Injury, Felony

Source: Monterey County Sheriff’s Office