Orange County undersheriff calls allegations of detainee mistreatment 'bull crap'

The Orange County undersheriff isn’t mincing words after he and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office were accused of mistreating Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees at Orange County Jail.  
“These allegations are false and malicious,” said Jones. “About me personally and the workforce. None of these things exist.” 
The sheriff’s office and Jones are accused by Brooklyn-based immigration activists of keeping dozens of ICE detainees in inhumane conditions at Orange County Jail. 
They say the men and women in custody were deprived of food, water and medical access before ICE transferred them to Mississippi last week. 
“ICE and Orange County Jail are not being transparent about the process,” said Tania Mattos with Envision Freedom Fund. “When they were transported, for 24 hours no one knew where they went.” 
Mattos wants the migrants released.  
Jones says the detainees transferred are dangerous felons, convicted of crimes like murder and rape, and are facing deportation. 
“These groups would like to portray these people as saps that cross the border, just looking to make a living in the United States. That’s not who’s here,” said Jones. 
Activists say detainees shouldn’t be punished twice for their crimes by remaining in custody after serving time in prison. 
The detainees were transferred because of staffing shortages. 
Orange County has a federal contract to house ICE detainees that’s been in place for more than a decade. 
News 12 is told a civil rights complaint about the alleged conditions has been sent to the Department of Homeland Security. 
News 12 reached out to reps with ICE for comment but hasn’t heard back.