DELANO, Calif. (AP) - Officials at a Central California state prison are investigating the fourth suspected inmate homicide there in about six months.
Kern Valley State Prison spokesman Lt. Michael Betzinger says in a release that 27-year-old Johnny Montenegro was found unresponsive in his cell early Wednesday and soon died. He was serving a three-year sentence from San Bernardino County for possession of a firearm by a felon.
His cellmate is being held in segregation while officials investigate the death.
Three other inmates died there of suspected homicides in November, December and January. Betzinger says the deaths appear unrelated.
The prison houses nearly 4,000 inmates in Delano, north of Bakersfield.
It’s the same prison where officials say former NFL running back Lawrence Phillips killed himself in January while he was awaiting a murder trial.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.