428 walk out of Fresno jail in releases related to coronavirus. Sheriff makes a plea

With the state’s 5 p.m. Monday deadline looming for what will result in early jail releases due to the coronavirus pandemic, Fresno County cut loose a total of 428 prisoners by Monday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Office reported.

The state Judicial Council has ordered $0 bail for many offenses, which will result in many in lockup being released from custody. However, Merrill Balassone, a spokeswoman for the council, said local judges still retain discretion to set bail higher or even deny it if there is a public safety concern..

Of the first 428 releases, 118 were due to the emergency order for $0 bail for those charged with certain felony offenses. The charges included brandishing a weapon or firearm, auto theft, burglary, failing to register as a sex offender and possession of methamphetamine for sale, according to Sheriff’s spokesman Tony Botti.

Thirteen were released on $0 bail for misdemeanors that included possession of methamphetamine and resisting arrest.

The remaining 297 have been released since March 23 when a local judicial order gave Sheriff Margaret Mims the discretion to release offenders, and she freed 253 felony inmates and 44 misdemeanor inmates.

In an interview Monday as the latest releases were taking place, Mims implored citizens not to ignore crimes because of concerns that the offenders would not be arrested.

“Eventually the offenders ... will be held accountable,” she said.

The sheriff also called it a “shame” that those arrested for auto theft could be issued a citation under the emergency order, instead of being booked into jail. Auto theft has been a chronic problem in Fresno County, which once ranked among one of the worst areas in the nation for the crime.

This story was originally published April 13, 2020 at 2:19 PM.