Shasta County Sheriff Issues Statement on Reopening of Jail Floor, Four Arrests
Originally published by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office:
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to inform the public that efforts to reopen the closed floor of the Shasta County Jail have been successful. Recently, Sheriff Michael Johnson announced that the level, which had been closed since July of 2022, would be back in operation by Thanksgiving. Part of the affected floor has been in operation since November 5, increasing jail capacity by approximately 80 inmates.
Efforts to return the level to full capacity are in the final stages and will be phased in as staff identified to work in the facility are properly trained and the additional areas of the level are cleared for use. The Sheriff’s Office is using both sworn and non-sworn staff from various divisions within the agency to augment the staffing levels needed to operate the jail at full capacity. Ongoing recruitment and retention efforts for open Sheriff’s Office positions continue and the public is encouraged to visit our Career Opportunities page to view open positions, connect with members of our recruitment team, and apply.
Increased capacity at the Shasta County Jail has an immediate impact on the quality of life in Shasta County. For example, on November 15 and 16, the Shasta County AB109 team in partnership with the Redding Police Department, Shasta County District Attorney’s Office, and the Anderson Police Department, recently conducted a two-day operation to locate and arrest subjects who failed to appear for sentencing. The operation was conducted at various locations throughout Shasta County and Incorporated areas of Redding, Anderson, and the City of Shasta Lake. The following subjects were located and arrested:
• Royal Ann Blue (04/14/1965)
• Lucas Aurelio Castro (06/22/1981)
• Branden Glen Pimentel (11/06/1990)
• Jay Robert Skiles (05/19/1988)
8 other arrests were made for various Felony and Misdemeanor crimes.
During the operation approximately 58 subjects were contacted, approximately 135 grams of methamphetamine, 8.5 grams of Fentanyl, and a shotgun were confiscated.
Increased jail capacity allows for operations like these to target offenders who are not obeying the law and hold them accountable to serve their sentences.
Contact: Tim Mapes, Public Information Officer – Shasta County Sheriff’s Office
Phone: (530) 245-6149
Date: 11/21/2023
