California Mule Creek State Prison Inmate Death Investigated as Homicide

California prison officials are investigating the death of inmate Longeno Jones, 51, at Mule Creek State Prison as a homicide. Jones was found unresponsive in his cell during medication distribution and was pronounced dead at the prison's triage area. His cellmate, Jesse Ferdin, 54, was placed in restrictive housing pending the investigation. Jones was serving a life sentence with the possibility of parole for first-degree burglary as a third striker, while Ferdin was serving a 12-year sentence for rape with force and violence. The investigation involves Mule Creek’s Investigative Services Unit, the Amador County District Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Inspector General. The Amador County Coroner will determine Jones’ official cause of death. This is the second homicide investigation at the prison within two months, following the death of another inmate in April.