Kern County residents will not see any immediate change to community services, but state corrections officials say they are pursuing a criminal probe after a man was fatally wounded during a cell confrontation at Kern Valley State Prison on July 11.
What happened
Prison staff observed two men fighting inside a cell at about 10:20 a.m. Saturday and intervened, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Officers ordered the men to stop and to lie down. One inmate did not follow commands, prompting staff to use pepper spray to halt the attack.
Medical personnel attempted life-saving treatment on the injured inmate before he was moved to the facility’s triage area. He was pronounced dead at 10:55 a.m., officials said.
Who is involved
The person who died was identified as 41-year-old Sergio Villalobos. He entered state custody from Los Angeles County in 2014 and was serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole after a first-degree murder conviction.
The other man, named by corrections officials as 39-year-old Jovanny Mendez, was taken from the cell, restrained and placed in restricted housing. Mendez arrived in state custody in 2017; he is serving a 14-year term for assault with a firearm and a firearm-use enhancement.
| Inmate | Age | Admission to state custody | Current sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sergio Villalobos | 41 | Aug. 18, 2014 | Life with possibility of parole; first-degree murder conviction |
| Jovanny Mendez | 39 | May 24, 2017 | 14 years; assault with a firearm, firearm enhancement |
Investigations and evidence
The prison’s Investigative Services Unit and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office have opened inquiries into the death. Two improvised weapons made by inmates were recovered from the cell, the department said. The California Office of the Inspector General has also been notified.
- Time of incident: about 10:20 a.m., July 11
- Pronounced dead: 10:55 a.m., July 11
- Recovered evidence: two inmate-manufactured weapons
- Current status of alleged attacker: confined to restricted housing
Prison officials declined to release additional details about how the confrontation began or the extent of injuries prior to the fatality. The Kern County District Attorney’s Office will determine whether state charges will be filed after its investigation concludes.
Kern Valley State Prison, which houses both minimum- and high-security inmates, opened in 2005 and continues to be overseen by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Prison violence and contraband weapons remain persistent challenges for corrections staff statewide, and investigators will review whether policies and supervision at the facility were adequate in this case.
As the probe proceeds, officials say family notifications and routine internal protocols are being carried out. The Office of the Inspector General’s involvement means the incident will also be examined from an independent oversight perspective.
This is a developing story. News Block will update this report as prosecutors and prison investigators release more information.
