Name of inmate killed during Monterey County Jail assault identified

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- Updated 3:58 p.m. 3/31/2025 - The name of the inmate found dead after an assault has been released.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff's Department, the victim had been identified as 42-year-old Victor Guido-Castro of Salinas.

Guido-Castro was found dead Sunday morning after being beaten to death at 6 a.m.

When asked about staffing levels at the time of the incident, MCSO said that they did not have access to that information.

Monterey County Sheriff's office investigating death of inmate

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said it is investigating an assault at the jail that left one incarcerated man dead Sunday morning.

A spokesperson said deputies responded shortly after 6 a.m. to a disturbance in one of the jail housing units, where they found one male inmate had been assaulted by another male inmate.

Deputies and jail medical staff administered emergency aid before the victim was taken to Natividad Medical Center for advanced medical care. The victim was later pronounced at the hospital, according to the sheriff's office.

Deputies identified the suspect in this case as 38-year old Saul Roberto Espinoza of Palmdale. He is currently serving a sentence for Vehicle Theft with Priors, Providing False Information to a Peace Officer, and Possession of Stolen Property.

Additional charges against Espinoza are pending as the investigation remains ongoing, said the sheriff's office.

The sheriff's office said its Investigations Division is conducting a comprehensive criminal investigation into the victim's death. The assistance of the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office has also been requested in determining the victim's cause and manner of death.

The victim's identity has not been released pending family notification.