Suspect arrested in death of jail inmate from Ojai

A 31-year-old Oxnard man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the death of a county jail inmate in August, according to the Ventura County Sheriff‘s Office.

Around 8:30 p.m. Aug. 30, deputies found Alexander Beirne, 38, of Ojai, experiencing a medical emergency inside his cell at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. He had been arrested on a warrant after failing to appear in court for a domestic violence case, according to court records.

Beirne was treated at the jail by medical staff before paramedics arrived. He was taken to the emergency room of Community Memorial Hospital, where he was ultimately pronounced dead at 9:51 p.m. 

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The Ventura County Medical Examiner‘s Office conducted an autopsy, and investigators concluded Beirne died from methamphetamine intoxication, authorities said.

The sheriff‘s major crimes bureau determined fellow inmate Ricardo Ortega, 31, of Oxnard, illegally smuggled meth into the jail and that meth given to Beirne by Ortega directly caused Beirne’s death, according to authorities.

Ortega was arrested on suspicion of bringing a controlled substance into a jail facility and furnishing a dangerous drug, both felonies, according to authorities. He was already in custody at the time of the arrest and is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court for arraignment on the new charges at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Room 13, according to jail records. 

Jeremy Childs is a breaking news and public safety reporter covering the night shift for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached by calling 805-437-0208 or emailing jeremy.childs@vcstar.com.