Salinas Valley State Prison Officials in Soledad are Investigating the Death of Inmate on December 14 as a Homicide

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) in Soledad as a homicide. At approximately 8:40 a.m., officers witnessed 2 incarcerated people identified as 39-year-old David Pacheco and 23-year-old Adrian Lopez, allegedly attack a third incarcerated person identified as 30-year-old Oracio Ramirez in a recreational yard at the facility. 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, but Ramirez was pronounced dead at 9:02 a.m. An inmate manufactured weapon was recovered at the scene. Pacheco and Lopez were placed in restricted housing. 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 arrived to SVSP 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 9 years for second-degree attempted murder.

Lopez came to SVSP from Santa Clara County on July 6, 2021. He was sentenced to 3 years for second-degree attempted murder, second-degree attempted robbery, discharge of a firearm at an inhabited dwelling/vehicle/aircraft, criminal gang activity, and attempted carjacking.

Pacheco was transferred to SVSP 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 of a firearm ex-felon. While incarcerated, Pacheco was sentenced in Imperial County on May 24, 2012, to serve 1 year, 4 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 2 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 2 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.

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