Crime & Safety

Sheriff Asks for Public Help to Locate Baldwin Park Homicide Suspect

Inmate Johnny Mata was released from the Sheriff's Inmate Reception Center, in downtown Los Angeles because a clerk forgot to enter a "hold'' notation in the system.

Sheriff's homicide detectives will hold a news conference Tuesday morning to ask for public help in locating a murder suspect, 32-year-old Johnny Mata of El Monte, who was mistakenly released from the sheriff's Inmate Reception Center. 

On April 4, 2013, Inmate Johnny Mata was released from the Sheriff’s Inmate processing unit (IRC) Inmate Reception Center, in downtown Los Angeles because a clerk forgot to enter a "hold'' notation on the inmate's computer file.

Authorities have said Mata’s release should not have occurred because a murder charge had been filed by the District Attorney.

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A manhunt is underway right now. All of Los Angeles County law enforcement are actively seeking to apprehend Mata to face outstanding murder charges, according to the Sheriff Dept.

Mata is a suspect in the 2010 gang murder of 34-year-old David Deanda, who was shot while standing in a crowd of people in the city of Baldwin Park in 2010.

Find out what's happening in Baldwin Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officials blamed understaffing for the mistaken release of Mata and "the sheriff has insured it won't happen again", Steve Whitmore told to the Los Angeles Times.

The suspect was arrested on May 25, 2012 by El Monte Police, Lt. David Vautrin told the Daily News.

Mata is 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighs 197 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes, Nishida said.

Anyone with information on Mata's whereabouts was asked to call the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500 or LA Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. All tips can be made anonymously.


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