Overview

• Omar Hernandez Ruiz, 38, pleaded guilty on Aug. 18 to conspiracy to transport or sell methamphetamine while incarcerated.
• Ruiz admitted two prior strike convictions and a gang enhancement, which increased his punishment under California law.
• Investigators say he coordinated large meth shipments with co‑conspirators from September through November 2024 while housed at California State Prison, Centinela.
• The scheme was interrupted on Nov. 14, 2024, when Ventura County deputies stopped a suspected runner and found roughly nine pounds of methamphetamine during a call with Ruiz.
• He received the additional 35‑years‑to‑life sentence on Sept. 18, 2025, on top of a 156‑years‑to‑life term for a 2013 Santa Paula murder and assault on a peace officer.