The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man who was found unresponsive in his cell the night of June 28 at the Northern Branch Jail in Santa Maria.
The inmate, identified as 54-year-old Juan José Lara of Santa Maria, had been arrested earlier that week by Santa Maria police on charges including felony possession of methamphetamine and several misdemeanor drug-related offenses. He was being held on $20,000 bail. Authorities said he was seen by medical staff during the booking process.
According to the sheriff’s office, a custody deputy discovered Lara unresponsive at around 10:45 p.m. during a routine security check. Jail staff and emergency responders attempted life-saving measures, including the use of Narcan and an automated external defibrillator. Paramedics with County Fire and AMR were also dispatched…