SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – On Wednesday, Santa Babara County District Attorney’s Office concluded that the in-custody death of Jaime Angel Gonzalez on Dec. 28, 2022 , was accidental and the actions by corrections personnel were “reasonable and lawful” as well as concluded that they bear no state criminal liability regarding the incident.
Autopsy results used in the report show Gonzalez’s death was caused by methamphetamine intoxication and contributing factors cited in his death were dilated cardiomyopathy, obesity, and physical restraint.
On Dec. 28, 2022, Gonzalez called 911 to explain that other residents at the sober living house were “acting weird” and that he did not feel safe the report states.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Deputies John Heil and Michael Reynoso responded to the Orcutt residence and Gonzalez asked them for a ride to the local parole office detail the report.
According to the report, Gonzalez began acting erratically after deputies agreed to transport him and admitted to recently using drugs to which his parole agent instructed the deputies to arrest him for violation of his parole.