Vallecito, CA…California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials today announced the apprehension of a person who walked away a few hours earlier from the Vallecito Conservation Camp in Calaveras County. At approximately 9:30 a.m., Jonathan LealBetancourt, 26, was apprehended in the city of Vallecito without incident by CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety and Sierra Conservation Center, Crisis ReponseTeam. He was transported to Sierra Conservation Center, a CDCR prison. His case will be referred to the Calaveras County District Attorney for possible escape charges.

LealBetancourt was received from Alameda County on June 23, 2023, to serve a five-year, four-month sentence for first-degree burglary, receiving stolen property, vehicle theft, and buying/receiving stolen vehicle/trailer/construction equipment.

Since 1977, 99 percent of all people who have left an adult institution, camp, or community-based program without permission have been apprehended.