Surveillance footage shows alleged attack before inmate's death at Wasco State Prison

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Authorities at Wasco State Prison are investigating the death of an inmate on a homicide charge after he was allegedly attacked by two other inmates on Saturday.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said that on August 24, 2024, at approximately 2:30 p.m., staff saw David Dominguez being physically supported by other inmates in the day room. He told staff he had suffered a seizure and fell.

CDCR said a medical emergency alert was immediately issued and medical personnel determined he required more intensive care. He was taken to the triage and treatment area and an ambulance was called while life-saving measures were performed. Dominguez was pronounced dead by a paramedic at 4:07 p.m.

According to CDCR, a subsequent review of the audio and video surveillance system showed that inmates Jose Landeros and Michael S. Padilla entered Dominguez's cell and became involved in a physical altercation.

Landeros and Padilla were placed in a restrictive housing facility pending the completion of the investigation by the WSP Investigative Services Unit and the Kern County District Attorney's Office. In addition, inmates Robert Rubalcava, Leonel A. Torres, Zakary W. White and Mario Aguillon were placed in a restrictive housing facility pending the completion of the investigation.

The Office of the Inspector General has been notified, and the Kern County Coroner will determine Dominguez's official cause of death.

Dominguez, 29, was taken from San Diego County on October 4, 2023, and sentenced to three years in prison for extortion by force or threat and assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, plus aggravated street gang offenses.

Landeros, 27, was picked up from Riverside County on March 6, 2020, and sentenced to 16 years in prison for second-degree robbery with an aggravated charge of use of a firearm. He was also sentenced by Kern County on January 5, 2022, to three years and four months in prison for second-degree robbery, assault with a firearm, and false imprisonment with violence.

Padilla, 37, was last admitted from San Bernardino County on May 25, 2023, and sentenced to 22 years in prison for intoxicated manslaughter, a repeat offense, with aggravated charges for fleeing the scene of a crime and a prior felony conviction.

Robert Rubalcava, 40, was last admitted from San Bernardino County on September 29, 2023 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for attempted premeditated murder as a perpetrator, with aggravated charges for use of a firearm and street gang crimes.

Leonel A. Torres, 40, was admitted from Santa Barbara County on November 8, 2019, and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder.

Zakary W. White, 27, was last booked on February 1, 2024, from Riverside County. He was sentenced to six years in prison for auto theft after previously being convicted of auto theft.

Mario Aguillon, 37, was picked up from Los Angeles County on February 2, 2005, and sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder. On November 15, 2013, Sacramento County sentenced him to life in prison with the possibility of parole for assault, a second offense, with a sentencing enhancement due to a prior felony conviction.