Jury Convicts Inmate for Possession of a Weapon while Serving Sentence at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad

SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on December 18 that

a jury convicted defendant 61-year-old Paul Chavez Ramirez an inmate serving a life sentence in

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). In a bifurcated trial, the jury also

found that the defendant had previously been convicted of 4 “strike” offenses under California’s

Three Strikes Law. The Honorable Judge Stephanie E. Hulsey presided over both proceedings.

On the morning of August 21 of 2024, correctional officers at the Salinas Valley State Prison observed

the defendant in possession of a weapon. A subsequent search revealed that the defendant had

concealed an 18-inch piece of rebar beneath his clothing. One end of the rebar was sharpened, and

the other was modified with a rope-based handle made of a white cord to provide a firm hold. As

configured, it could readily inflict great bodily injury or death. Correctional officers confiscated the

weapon and prevented any further incident.

Ramirez is scheduled to be sentenced by the Honorable Judge Stepahine E. Hulsey on February 10,

2026. He faces an additional 2 years in state prison in addition to his life sentence.

This case was investigated by the Investigative Services Unit at Salinas Valley State Prison, with

assistance from the Monterey County District Attorney Investigator Erik Morris.

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Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

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King City CHP is searching for person of interest who fled the scene of a fatal crash in Greenfield

On Monday, September 16 at approximately 3:50 pm, a fatal traffic collision occurred on Metz Road south of Elm Avenue in Greenfield. The driver who caused the collision fled on foot and is currently outstanding. The California Highway Patrol King City Area is currently seeking the whereabouts of 31-year-old Agustin Santana-Moncada of King City who has been identified as a person of interest in the case. The King City Area is requesting assistance from the public in locating Santana-Moncada. Anyone with information is asked to contact the King City Area office at (831) 385-3216.

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