Deputies in Pima County, Arizona are searching for an inmate who was mistakenly released from the Pima County Adult Detention Complex. This marks the second accidental release from the facility in just one week.
Authorities say Christian Barrionuevo was released on March 28 when he should have been transferred to the parole department. Barrionuevo had been in jail on theft-related charges, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD).
This incident follows another mistaken release on March 27, when inmate Demetri Lopez was let out instead of another individual with the same last name. Lopez was re-arrested on Sunday, March 30.
PCSD has assured the public that Barrionuevo is considered non-violent, and efforts are underway to locate him. Officials urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to call 9-1-1 immediately.
Earlier this year, an inmate died following a series of drug overdoses at another Arizona jail, with 12 incidents reported over the past week.
According to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), all overdoses occurred at Estrella Jail. Sheriff Jerry Sheridan provided details, stating the first incident took place on February 6, when eight inmates showed signs of overdose. The latest incident happened around 1:00 a.m. on February 14, involving four inmates—one of whom later died.
In both cases, detention officers discovered fentanyl inside the facility. Sheriff Sheridan explained that a plastic bag containing approximately seven to eight grams of fentanyl was recovered after an inmate removed it from her body cavity and handed it over to officers. Additionally, detention officer Barbara Herrera found more fentanyl inside an inmate’s cell.
