Ventura – Santiago Hernandez, 21, may not subscribe to the premise that when things have gone badly, it doesn’t take much to make them even worse. Evidence of that failing surfaced on January 22nd when—apparently blind to the “firepan into the fire” potential of his status as an inmate in Ventura County Jail—he attempted to overpower a custody deputy and gain control of the deputy’s handgun.
According to Ventura County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Devorick, Hernandez was in custody on the 22nd at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. While he was facing adjudication of robbery, burglary, and unspecified drug charges, Devorick reported that Hernandez “developed medical problems which require him to be transferred to the Ventura County Medical Center.” His status as a jail inmate awaiting trial dictated that any such movement take place under the supervision of an armed Sheriff’s Deputy.
Hernandez, failing to appreciate such hospitality, lunged at his escort and proceeded to make a sincere attempt to gain possession of the deputy’s weapon. The deputy—perhaps accustomed to dealing with such ungrateful displays—“was able to overpower Hernandez and secure him”, according to Devorick. Neither Hernandez nor the deputy were injured, but there was no shortage of official umbrage taken, and once Hernandez was brought under control at the hospital, he was then arrested for attempting to remove a Peace Officer’s Firearm and for Resisting a Peace Officer by Means of Violence.
Mr. Hernandez remains in custody on a no bail hold, perhaps wiser to the ways of the world in which he finds himself.
Photo: courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
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