RivCo Convicted Murderer Now Suspected Of Killing Inside CA Prison

IMPERIAL COUNTY, CA — An inmate death over the weekend at a state prison in Imperial County was a homicide, and officials say a Riverside County convicted murderer was involved in the killing.

Rigoberto Estrada, 45, is serving two life sentences for murder and attempted murder, and now he is suspected of attacking and killing a fellow inmate Enrique Saucedo, 29, using handmade weapons, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Estrada was not alone in the Sunday afternoon attack at Centinela State Prison in Imperial County. Inmate David Veloz, 40, is also suspected in the killing, officials said.

At approximately 2:41 p.m., prison personnel saw Estrada and Veloz attack Saucedo in the facility's recreational yard.

"Staff immediately responded, issuing verbal orders to stop, however, it required seven applications of O.C. Pepper Spray to quell the attack," according to a statement from CDCR.

Saucedo was sent to a medical center but was pronounced dead at 5:49 p.m. Sunday.

No other inmates or prison staff were injured in the incident.

Veloz and Estrada were placed in restricted housing and an investigation into the attack is ongoing. The Imperial County Coroner will determine Saucedo’s official cause of death, according to CDCR.

Saucedo of Los Angeles County was serving a 14-year sentence for one count of manufacturing/selling/distributing/transporting assault weapons and one count of transporting/importing a controlled substance. He was transferred to CDCR custody on Nov. 27, 2018.

Estrada was transferred to CDCR custody on Nov. 9, 2006.

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.