Despite felony charges, judge releases Medina Reyes on 'OR'
Judge Brian Caruth released Guillermo Medina Reyes on his own recognizance (OR), ordering him to return to court next week.
A man charged with multiple felonies, who is battling ICE to avoid deportation, was released on his own recognizance this week by an Alameda County judge.
On Wednesday, over the objections of the Alameda County district attorney's office, Judge Brian Caruth released Guillermo Medina Reyes on his own recognizance, ordering him to come back to court next week to enter a plea.
The Scanner did not attend Wednesday's hearing because it was not listed on the lengthy public court calendars that are published twice a day in Alameda County.
As a result, it was unclear exactly how or when the hearing happened, only that the judge approved an oral motion by the public defender's office for OR release.
According to court papers, Caruth said Medina Reyes, 31, should be assessed by a mental health provider for potential residential treatment, "but in the moment [to] participate in mental health outpatient treatment."
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Caruth to the bench in 2024. A longtime public defender, he graduated from Stanford Law School in 1994.
Medina Reyes charged with two carjacking attempts
Earlier on Wednesday, the DA's office charged Medina Reyes with five felonies: an attempted carjacking where police say a 3-year-old was in the back seat; the attempted theft of a big rig truck; the grand theft of a cellphone; the attempted carjacking of a woman in her 60s at the gas station; and the attempted theft of Toyota Prius.
Even in Alameda County, the release of a defendant facing so many serious felony charges with no bail requirement is unusual, authorities said.
Emilie Raguso
The crime spree happened Sunday in Berkeley. The Scanner was the first to report the allegations.
Medina Reyes, who lives in San Jose, has been in a public battle with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the past month over potential deportation.
His supporters say he has lived in the United States since age 6 but is not a citizen.
In recent weeks, ICE ordered Medina Reyes to wear a GPS monitor pending the agency's review of his case.
According to court papers, he spent more than a decade in prison after being convicted of attempted murder at age 16.
In May, police in Morgan Hill arrested Medina Reyes on suspicion of robbery and vandalism, according to public records, resulting in felony vandalism charges in Santa Clara County on July 15. His next court appearance in that case is set for September.
Stay tuned for ongoing coverage.
