CDCR: Alameda County rapist suspected of killing cellmate

(KRON) — A convicted Alameda County rapist is suspected of killing his cellmate in Mule Creek State Prison, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials said.

The rapist, 54-year-old Jesse A. Ferdin, was moved to a restrictive housing unit pending the homicide investigation.

Longeno Jones, 51, was found “unresponsive” on May 21 inside a cell he shared with Ferdin, according to CDCR. Jones was transported to the prison’s triage area, where he was pronounced deceased by paramedics an hour later.

Ferdin was convicted in Alameda County in 2018 of rape with force and violence. He was sentenced in 2019 to serve 12 years in prison.

Jones was convicted in Los Angeles County in 2007 of first-degree burglary as a third strike offender. He was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole.

Mule Creek State Prison houses more than 3,800 inmates in Amador County.

The homicide is under investigation by MCSP Investigative Services Unit. An Amador County coroner will determine Jones’ official cause of death.