Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Inmates Arrested for Gang Related Battery
Report Number: 16-54223
Location: Ventura County Superior Courthouse, Ventura
Date & Time: 4/20/16 @ 4:15 pm
Unit(s) Responsible: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Classification Unit – Todd Road Jail Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Court Service Bureau
(S)uspects, (V)ictims, (P)arty, (D)ecedent City of Residence Age
(S) Jacob Pulido Ventura 27
(S) Eric Forrest Ventura 29
(S) Gabriel Cueva Ventura 20


Narrative:
On March 20, 2016, inmates were transferred from Ventura County Jails to the Ventura County Superior Court for their proceedings. While awaiting their court appearances, three inmates conspired to batter another inmate. During the preliminary investigation the incident was determined to be a gang related assault. The three suspects were later arrested for battery and street terrorism charges.

Inmates Jacob Pulido, Eric Forrest and Gabriel Cueva were located in holding cells at the Ventura County Court House waiting proceedings for their specified court cases. Pulido, Forrest and Cueva are all documented members of a local criminal street gang. The victim, an inmate housed at the Todd Road Jail, was also located in the same holding cell that Forrest and Cueva were in. The victim is a documented member of a rival criminal street gang. There have been numerous acts of violence committed by members of both criminal organizations against one another.

A deputy assigned to security in the courthouse saw Pulido using a unique sign language to communicate with Forrest. Shortly thereafter, Forrest battered the victim inside of the holding cell. After the investigation was conducted, the victim was placed back in the holding cell to await his court proceedings. Without provocation, Cueva then battered the victim. Both batteries were halted by responding deputies. The victim sustained minor injuries from both batteries.

A month-long investigation was conducted by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Classification Unit. It was determined Pulido orchestrated the batteries against the victim, directing Forrest and Cueva to carry out the violent acts. These gang-related batteries were committed for the benefit of their criminal street gang. These types of acts are done to instill fear and intimidation to their rivals while in custody or the communities they terrorize.

The case was presented to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. Battery charges with the special allegation of committing the batteries for the benefit of a criminal street gang were filed against all three defendants. Their next court date is scheduled for May 3rd, 2016.

Due to recent legislation changes at the state level and prison realignment, the Ventura County jails and are experiencing a large increase in the amount of violence and the number of crimes that occur in the jails. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office works diligently to ensure the safety and security of the court house, jails and the safety of inmates. In incidents where crimes do occur in the court house or county jails, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office will exhaust all resources to hold those responsible for victimizing people accountable.


Prepared by: Senior Deputy Sean Taylor
News Release Date: 4/29/2016
Media Follow-Up Contact: Senior Deputy Sean Taylor
(805) 933-8527
Approved by: Captain Don Aguilar

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).
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