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1 Male Inmate Found Dead at the Monterey County Jail on March 30

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an assault at the Monterey County Jail in Salinas that left one inmate dead.

At approximately 6:08 AM on Sunday, March 30, 2025, deputies responded to a disturbance in one of the jail housing units.

Upon entering the housing unit, deputies located a male inmate that had been assaulted by another male inmate. Deputies and jail medical staff immediately began administering emergency aid. The victim

was transported to Natividad Medical Center for advanced medical care where he was later pronounced dead.

Deputies were able to identify the suspect as 38-year-old Saul Roberto Espinoza of Palmdale, CA. Espinoza 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 Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division is conducting a comprehensive criminal

investigation of the victim’s death. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Coroner’s

Division of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office to assist in determining the victim’s cause and manner of death.

Additional charges against Espinoza are pending as this is an active and ongoing investigation.

The victim’s name is not being released pending family notification.

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