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San Benito Sheriff’s concludes escaped inmate investigations

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San Benito County Sheriff's Office
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SAN BENITO COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) -- San Benito County Sheriff's Office provided an update on an escaped inmate last year after two investigations wrapped up.

The investigations stem from the escape of Danial Lopez Zavala last year, resulting in four suspects being arrested for helping aid in his escape.

On the administrative side of the investigation, Sheriff Eric Taylor stated that a Facebook video contained some problems.

"The appropriate level of discipline will be delved out for those that are responsible for that happening," Sheriff Taylor said.

Taylor went on to say that internal processes have been changed regarding moving inmates.

No criminal wrongdoing was found in the criminal investigation.

Staffing shortages have also been an issue with only 29 members on staff, a contrast to the state minimum of 40 staff members.

Due to the shortage, two holding pods have been unused at the County Jail.

The County also highlighted how they will provide new medical coverage for inmates including behavioral and mental health services.

"Understand all of this is to reduce recidivism and help people custody better than when they came in. That is the goal of our office," Sheriff Taylor said.

Article Topic Follows: Top Stories
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Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.

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