2 Inmates From IE Accused In Separate Prison Killings

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — Two California prison inmates sentenced out of the Inland Empire for violent crimes are now suspected in separate deadly attacks at Salinas Valley State Prison.

In the most recent attack, a man sentenced out of San Bernardino County was allegedly involved in an inmate killing, and it wasn't his first incident of in-prison violence.

At approximately 9:52 a.m. on Oct. 23, Robert England, 61, was one of three inmates who allegedly fatally attacked 57-year-old Todd S. Morgan with what appeared to be improvised weapons, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Prison staff saw England and fellow inmates Todd J. Givens and Ray N. Waldron attack Morgan in a recreation yard, according to CDCR.

"Staff issued clear verbal commands to immediately halt the attack," CDCR reported. "By the time responding personnel arrived, the aggressors had already stopped and staff swiftly began life-saving procedures on Morgan. He was pronounced deceased by prison medical staff at 10:04 a.m. No staff or other incarcerated people were injured."

England was most recently received from San Bernardino County on Oct. 4, 1993. He was sentenced to serve life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder for use of a firearm. On Jan. 14, 1998, while in prison, he was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for assault on an inmate. Then, on Feb. 10, 1999, while in prison, he was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for two counts of battery on a non-prisoner, possession/manufacture of deadly weapon by a prisoner, and resisting/deterring an officer with threat/violence, all as a third-striker.

Like England, Givens and Waldron have violent histories.

Givens, 56, was most recently received from Tulare County on July 23, 2004. He was placed on death row for first-degree murder. While incarcerated, he was sentenced to two terms of life with the possibility of parole for possession/manufacture of a deadly weapon by an incarcerated person and assault by an incarcerated person, to be served concurrently with his death sentence.

Waldron, 51, was most recently received from San Diego County on Feb. 1, 2005. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder, first degree attempted murder, assault with a firearm, and possession of firearm by ex-felon, all as a third-striker with enhancements for intentional discharge of firearm causing great bodily injury/death and street gang act in commission of a serious felony, first degree attempted murder, two counts of inflict great bodily injury. On July 24, 2024, he was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for in-prison attempted first-degree murder.

The victim, Morgan, also had an extensive criminal history. He was most recently received from Santa Clara County on May 22, 2002. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for second-degree burglary, second-degree robbery, and manufacturing, sale, or possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition by an ex-felon, and possession of a controlled substance, all as a third-striker.

Following the attack, Givens, England, and Waldron were relocated to restricted housing, and movement was limited in the area where the attack occurred. An investigation into the violence is continuing. The Monterey County Coroner will determine Morgan’s official cause of death, according to CDCR.

The other recent attack at Salinas Valley State Prison was reported nine days earlier. At 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 14, prison staff witnessed Orlando M. Ochoa assaulting Israel M. Mendoza. Staff immediately responded and used chemical agents to stop the violence, according to CDCR.

Despite efforts to save him, 40-year-old Mendoza was pronounced dead at 5:52 p.m., CDCR reported.

Ochoa, also 40, was placed in restricted housing pending the outcome of an investigation into the case. The Monterey County Coroner will determine Mendoza’s official cause of death.

Mendoza was most recently received from Yolo County on Dec. 3, 2015. He was sentenced to 14 years for corporal injury on a person within seven years of a prior specific conviction and false imprisonment with violence as a second striker.

Ochoa was most recently received from San Bernardino County on Feb. 2, 2006. He was sentenced to five years for second-degree robbery. Los Angeles County also sentenced him on Jan. 7, 2009, to 32 years for voluntary manslaughter and second-degree robbery as a second striker.

A motive for the attacks was not provided.

Salinas Valley State Prison in Monterey County opened in May 1996. The institution provides long-term housing for approximately 2,400 minimum- and maximum-custody inmates and employs about 1,500 staff.