Nevada County Inmate Still Missing After July 4 Escape from Fire Camp

Miguel Banuelos, a 49-year-old inmate serving a seven-year sentence for drug trafficking and heroin and cocaine possession, walked away from Washington Ridge Conservation Camp on July 4. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation confirmed that he left the facility, and his disappearance quickly took an unexpected turn. Just two days later, on July 6, Mexican authorities apprehended him in Tijuana. However, after a court appearance in Mexico on July 10, he was released, leaving law enforcement scrambling to locate him once again.

An active warrant remains in place for Banuelos’arrest as the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office continues its search. His original scheduled release date was April 20, 2028, meaning the escape has essentially erased years of his sentence. The situation highlights vulnerabilities in how conservation camps operate, raising questions about security protocols and inmate accountability. For Northern California residents, particularly those in Nevada County, the ongoing search underscores the importance of community awareness about local law enforcement matters.

If you have any information about Miguel Banuelos’whereabouts or have seen anything suspicious, contact the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office immediately. Law enforcement encourages the public to come forward with tips. What concerns you most about this situation—the camp’s security measures or the complications that arose when he crossed into Mexico?