A violent assault on a deputy sheriff at Men’s Central Jail has raised concerns about safety protocols and security measures within the facility. The attack occurred on Sunday, March 9, 2025, at approximately 12:16 PM, when Deputy Miguel Mendoza was escorting a group of twelve pro-per inmates from module 2500 “B” row to the Pro Per dayroom.
As Deputy Mendoza detained one of the inmates, three additional inmates, along with the primary suspect, suddenly and without provocation, launched a brutal attack. During the assault, Deputy Mendoza lost consciousness as the inmates punched and stomped his head into the ground. The deputy sustained a one-inch puncture wound to the right side of his head, requiring three staples, as well as multiple contusions.
Backup arrived quickly, and additional deputy personnel intervened to control the situation. Deputy Mendoza, along with Deputies Arellano, Flores-Ramos, and Arias, also suffered head injuries and were transported via radio car to Los Angeles County Medical Center. Fortunately, all injured deputies were treated and later released from the hospital.
A post-incident search of one of the suspects revealed a five-inch jail-made weapon, commonly referred to as a shank, hidden in the inmate’s boxer shorts. This discovery raises further concerns about the security screening processes within the jail.
Adding to the severity of the situation, it was reported that CCTV footage of the attack was unavailable due to a temporary suspension of DVTEL cameras for maintenance earlier that morning at approximately 7:00 AM. This failure left nearly 300 cameras inoperable at the time of the assault, significantly impacting the ability to review the incident through video surveillance.
A source familiar with the incident suggested that the attack may not have been random. “Based on the circumstances surrounding this attack, it appears to have possibly been preplanned due to the inmates acting in concert with each other and one found in possession of the jail-made stabbing tool (shank). The deputies are very fortunate,” the source said.
The attack underscores ongoing safety challenges within Men’s Central Jail, prompting questions about the effectiveness of security measures and inmate management. Authorities are expected to conduct a full investigation into the assault and the circumstances surrounding the security lapse.
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