Law enforcement in Southern California are still searching for murder convict Cesar M. Hernandez, who escaped custody over a week ago. Hernandez jumped out of a prison van upon arrival at the Kern County Superior Courthouse on December 2. He was scheduled for a court hearing in Delano after being charged with possession of a deadly weapon and a controlled substance in prison. Hernandez was previously held at Kern Valley State Prison and was convicted of first-degree murder, receiving a sentence of 25 years to life with the possibility of parole.
The manhunt for Hernandez is ongoing, with a “Be on the Lookout” alert issued to law enforcement agencies. Hernandez is described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighing 161 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He was last seen wearing an orange top and pants. It is requested that anyone with information on his whereabouts contact the U.S. Marshals or call 911.
The circumstances of Hernandez’s escape are still under investigation. He was in restraints before arriving at the courthouse, but managed to evade staff and flee. While the two correctional officers involved in Hernandez’s transfer have retained their job titles, they are currently working in non-transportation assignments. If Hernandez is captured, the U.S. Marshals Service will provide a $5,000 reward for information leading to his location.
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