As a prosecutor, I’ve seen my share of hardened criminals, but the case of Cesar Hernandez stands out—not just because of the brutality of his crime, but because of the staggering failure that allowed him to walk free.
Let’s start at the beginning.
December 2, 2024: The Escape
Cesar Hernandez was no ordinary inmate. He was serving a 25-to-life sentence for first-degree murder—a sentence that represents society’s decision to remove a dangerous man from our streets. But on a routine transport to the Delano courthouse, Hernandez slipped away. CDCR staff lost sight of him as he jumped out of a transport van near 10th Avenue and Kensington Street. He vanished into the community wearing nothing but his orange jumpsuit and white thermals.
This wasn’t a nonviolent offender or a low-risk escapee. This was a convicted killer. And somehow, he disappeared without a trace.
April 9, 2025: Violence Follows Him
After four months at large, Hernandez turned up south of the border. In Tijuana, Mexican and U.S. authorities attempted to apprehend him. But he didn’t go quietly. A shootout erupted. And in the chaos, a brave Mexican police commander—Abigail Esparza Reyes—was killed in the line of duty. Meanwhile, Hernandez slipped away yet again.
We owe it to Commander Reyes to recognize the gravity of this failure. Her death is a direct consequence of our inability to keep a convicted killer behind bars.
In the aftermath of that deadly shootout, law enforcement doubled down. U.S. Marshals, Mexican authorities, and local agencies ramped up their efforts. They’re working tirelessly, and I’m grateful for their dedication. But they shouldn’t have to be in this position in the first place.
A reward now stands at $35,000 for information leading to Hernandez’s capture.
DA in CA 