Location: Bob Wiley Detention Facility, Visalia

Incident Date: 7/27/16

Incident Time: 0826 hours

Case Number: 16-09449

Victim: 40-year-old male inmate

City: Visalia

Posted by: Media Relations

On 7-27-16 at 0826 hours, inmates were participating in activities outside of their individual cells within a unit at the Bob Wiley Detention Facility.  During that time, an undisclosed male inmate, age 40, was severely assaulted by several other inmates.  The inmate victim was transported to an area hospital for treatment due to numerous puncture wounds and associated internal injuries.

He is currently in critical but stable condition.  Detectives with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Jail Facility Strategic Response Unit identified the following inmate suspects and arrested them for the following charges.


Suspects / Charges:

Christopher Gomez (18 Years): 664/187 PC – Attempted Murder
                   186.22 PC – Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
                   182 PC – Conspiracy

Robert Saldana (27 Years): 664/187 PC – Attempted Murder
                    186.22 PC – Participation in Criminal Street Gang
                    182 PC – Conspiracy

Jonathan Ramos (18 Years): 664/187 PC – Attempted Murder
                      186.22 PC – Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
                      182 PC – Conspiracy

Juan Lopez (23 Years): 182 PC – Conspiracy

               186.22 PC – Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
               135 PC – Destruction of Evidence

Walter Baltodano (21 Years): 182 PC – Conspiracy
                186.22 PC – Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
                135 PC – Destruction of Evidence

Michael Serna (33 Years): 182 PC – Conspiracy
                   186.22 PC – Participation in a Criminal Street Gang
                   135 PC – Destruction of Evidence


This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s North End Investigations Unit.  Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Billy Meek at (559) 733-6218 or (800) 808-0488.

Anonymous information about this crime can be reported via Tipnow email tcso@tipnow.net text or voicemail at 559-725-4194 or download the Tipnow app for Android or Apple phones.