DELANO – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the Aug. 9, 2024, death of an incarcerated person at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) as a homicide. At 10:43 a.m., two incarcerated persons, Raymond Rojas and Tyler Ostertag, allegedly attacked another incarcerated person, Johnny Victor.

Staff quickly stopped the incident and immediately called for medical assistance and 911.  Both incarcerated individuals were restrained without further incident. No staff or additional incarcerated individuals were injured. Victor was taken to the prison’s triage and treatment area for injuries he sustained during the attack. Responding paramedics pronounced Victor deceased at 11:22 a.m.

Rojas and Ostertag were placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by the KVSP Investigative Services Unit and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. Officers recovered one inmate-manufactured weapon at the scene. The Office of the Inspector General was notified, and the Kern County Coroner will determine Victor’s official cause of death.

Victor, 66, was most recently received from Merced County on November 23, 1987. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for attempted second-degree murder. While incarcerated, he received a one-year, four-month sentence for possessing controlled substances, an in-prison offense.

Ostertag, 29, was most recently received from Ventura County on June 5, 2019, to serve life with the possibility of parole for second-degree murder, third striker, and personal use of dangerous or deadly weapon; and prevent/dissuade victim/witness, third striker.

Rojas, 25, was received from Kern County on July 13, 2022, to serve life with the possibility of parole for discharge firearm inhabited dwelling/vehicle/aircraft, second striker, intentional discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury/death, inflict great bodily injury, and discharge firearm; possess ammunition by a prohibited person, second striker; possess/own firearm by felon or addict, second striker; second-degree robbery, second striker, intentional, intentional/discharge of firearm causing great bodily injury/ death, inflict great bodily injury, and discharge firearm; possess/own firearm by felon or addict, second striker; possess ammunition by a prohibited person, second striker, vehicle theft with prior vehicle-related theft convictions, second striker, and assault with a deadly weapon.