IMPERIAL COUNTY, CA – A homicide occurred over the weekend at Centinela State Prison in Imperial County, as officials have determined that an inmate death was the result of an attack by other prisoners. Rigoberto Estrada, who is serving two life sentences for murder and attempted murder, is suspected of being involved in the killing of fellow inmate Enrique Saucedo, 29, using handmade weapons, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation reported.
Inmate David Veloz, 40, is also believed to have taken part in the Sunday afternoon attack at the state prison. The assault, which took place in the facility’s recreational yard, required prison personnel to intervene and apply pepper spray seven times to stop the attack. Saucedo was then transported to a medical center but was pronounced dead at 5:49 p.m. that same day. No other inmates or prison staff were harmed during the incident.
Both Veloz and Estrada were subsequently placed in restricted housing, and an investigation into the attack is currently underway. The Imperial County Coroner will determine Saucedo’s official cause of death, according to CDCR. Saucedo, who was from Los Angeles County, was serving a 14-year sentence for manufacturing/selling/distributing/transporting assault weapons and transporting/importing a controlled substance. He had been transferred to CDCR custody on Nov. 27, 2018.
Estrada had been transferred to CDCR on Nov. 9, 2006, while Veloz was sentenced to CDCR on Jan. 21, 2009, from Los Angeles County to serve 25 years to life for attempted murder. He was transferred to CDCR custody on Feb. 23, 2009.