Santa Barbara County inmate dies at nursing facility

October 5, 2026

By KAREN VELIE

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office today reporting the death of a 79-year-old Santa Maria man who remained in custody while receiving medical care outside of the Northern Branch Jail.

Ernest Lattimer was charged with four counts of engaging in sex acts with a minor, three counts of oral copulation with a victim under 10 years old, and 10 counts of lewd acts with a child under 14. He was also being held on special allegations related to violent sex offenses that, upon conviction, would prohibit probation, as well as an aggravated sentencing allegation involving specified sex offenses against a child under 14 that carries a potential sentence of 25 years to life.

Lattimer was being held on $1 million bail.

Lattimer had been housed at the Northern Branch Jail before being transported to an area hospital for medical care on July 30. Lattimer had extensive medical issues and remained outside of the jail receiving medical care from that date forward.

He was subsequently transferred from the hospital to Villa Maria Post Acute, a skilled nursing facility, where he most recently had been receiving care.

Although Lattimer was no longer physically housed at the Northern Branch Jail, he remained in the legal custody and under guard while receiving medical care until his death on Oct. 5.