Moorpark man dies in jail

Gilbert Briones Gilbert Briones, a 26-year-old Moorpark man, died from unknown causes while he was in custody at the county's pre-trial detention facility in Ventura last week.

Although he may have gotten in trouble with the law, said several of his longtime friends, he had a good heart.

According to authorities, Briones was found unresponsive in his cell when a Ventura County deputy conducted routine checks just before 2 p.m. Sept. 3.

Deputies and jail medical staff were not successful in their attempts to help the young man before paramedics arrived. Briones was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 2:50 p.m. that day.

There was no indication of suicide, said Capt. Ross Bonfiglio, spokesperson for the sheriff's department.

The county medical examiner conducted an autopsy and is waiting for a toxicology report to determine the cause of death. Results may not be available for about three months, according to the county coroner's office.

According to authorities, Briones was on parole and had been in custody last week for providing false information to a peace officer.

Lupita Rodriguez, who had known Briones since elementary school, said he was a young man with an awesome heart.

"He was not a criminal, he was always there to make people laugh," she said.

His friends and family in Moorpark will miss him, said Victoria Reyes, another longtime friend.

"Gilbert was a great person. He made everyone laugh and he would do crazy stuff, but that was just him," she said, adding that her thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Briones grew up in Moorpark with his mother, stepdad and three siblings.

"He was a real outgoing person who enjoyed dirt bike riding, surfing and any kind of outdoor activities," Rodriguez said. He most recently worked at a local supermarket.

Rodriguez believes Briones just died in his sleep. God must have wanted him home, she said.