Two former inmates who were granted early release from jails in California amid an effort to reduce the state's jail population during the , have been rearrested shortly after they were freed.
One inmate, identified as Rocky Music, was arrested by Oakland Police Sunday morning for stealing a car. However, Music was set free nearly 12-hours later amid an order by the state that mandates a zero bail schedule. Just 37 minutes later, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office says Music walked to Dublin, where he carjacked a victim. Music went on to drive to San Ramon, where he attempted a second carjacking. That's when Dublin Police were able to catch up with Music and re-arrest him for the crimes.
Music isn't the only inmate to be released and re-arrested. A second man, identified as Owen Aguilar, of Selma, had been in the Fresno County Jail for charges related to animal cruelty, but he was released from custody amid the statewide emergency order that allows jails to release inmates who are due to complete their sentence within the next thirty days.
Only nine days after Aguilar, 27, was released, Fresno County District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp announced in a news release Wednesday that seven felony charges have been filed against Aguilar, who is accused of starting multiple fires on April 16 in the Selma area.
According to the statement, Aguilar is accused of setting several fires, including a homeless man's tent and several large commercial dumpsters near businesses. He's also accused of igniting a fire in a shopping cart that spread to a detached garage, as well as setting fire to debris found under a Highway 99 overpass.
Aguilar was charged with arson of inhabited property, two counts of arson of structure/grassland, and three counts of arson of personal property. He's also being charged with one count of possession of an incendiary device with malicious intent. If convicted, he faces up to 45 years in prison. Each arson charge also carries with it an enhancement because the alleged arsons occurred during a state of emergency in California.
Photo: Selma Police Department, Alameda County Sheriff's Department