Investigation Underway After Anthony Brown (Full Name: Anthony Creston Brown), of Cerritos, Died In Custody At Theo Lacy Facility In Orange
ORANGE, CALIFORNIA (January 8, 2025) – A 45-year-old man identified as Anthony Brown has tragically died after being booked into the Theo Lacy Facility in Orange.
Orange County Sheriff’s Department officials are saying that the incident took place on December 29. Correctional officers noticed that Anthony Brown was unresponsive in his cell.
Deputies entered the Theo Lacy Facility cell and began life-saving measures. But those efforts could not resuscitate the man.
Anthony Brown was pronounced dead around 4:31 p.m. that same day. A final cause of death will be determined by an autopsy.
Legal Considerations for Orange County Inmate Deaths
Drug overdoses remain one of the leading causes of inmate death in the United States. Powerful opioids such as fentanyl are involved in many of the deaths. According to Health & Justice, “Fentanyl and related compounds have recently saturated the illicit drug supply in the United States, leading to unprecedented rates of fatal overdose. Individuals who are incarcerated are particularly vulnerable, as the burden of opioid use disorder is disproportionately higher in this population, and tolerance generally decreases during incarceration.” There are a number of signs that an inmate may be going through an overdose.
- The person may appear asleep but cannot be awakened.
- The person may have shallow or otherwise irregular breathing.
- The person may have pupils that are extremely small or constricted.
- The person may appear cool to the touch and pale.
Jails have a legal obligation to take reasonable steps in order to protect inmates from foreseeable sources of harm. This includes taking measures to prevent drug overdoses. To that end, jails should confiscate contraband and other illegal substances before they enter. Jail guards should also be trained to recognize the signs an inmate is going through an overdose. If correctional officers were deliberately indifferent to the serious medical needs of an inmate, this could form the basis of a constitutional claim. A jail may have inadvertently contributed to an inmate’s death in many different ways.
- Jail officials may have failed to give the inmate a thorough medical examination before they entered.
- Jail officials may have failed to perform periodic wellness checks on an inmate in their cell.
- Jail officials may have failed to give an inmate Narcan or perform CPR.
- Jail officials may have failed to get an inmate to the hospital in a timely manner.
When the state restricts the freedom of a person through incarceration, certain constitutional standards will apply. But far too often, jails do not uphold the constitutional standards required of them. This could be due to overcrowding, neglect, or several other factors. It is important for inmates and their family members to understand that they do have legal options. The family of any person who died in custody may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating Orange County Inmate Deaths
We at the Sehat Law Firm extend our deepest condolences to the family of Anthony Brown. Every life is precious and must be protected, no matter what a person may be accused of by those in power. Any person who may have more information about what happened should reach out to the police.
Do you need more information about an Orange County inmate death? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free, independent investigation into an incident, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (949) 825-5200.
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