Suspect dies by suicide after arrest on sex charge

Authorities said he harmed himself on the way to jail

Authorities said Thursday that a man who had been arrested Tuesday on suspicion of a sex crime had died by suicide after harming himself while in law enforcement custody, on the way to jail.

He was identified by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office as Jaime Rodriguez, 50, of Fairfield.

The Sheriff's Office said that Rodriguez had been arrested at a home in Danville around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday on suspicion of soliciting sex from an investigator posing as a 13-year-old boy and several other crimes. The arrest was conducted by investigators from the county's Internet Crimes Against Children task force, which includes law enforcement from multiple cities within the county, as well as county and federal agencies.

Authorities said Rodriguez attempted to harm himself while he was being transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. He received medical aid and was taken to a hospital. Authorities did not specify when he had been pronounced dead.

A spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office did not return a message seeking additional details about the case, as well as about the suspect's self-harm attempt.

The Sheriff's Office said that per county protocol for law enforcement, the death will be investigated by the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office as well as the Sheriff's Office.

If you or someone you know is struggling with feelings of depression or suicidal thoughts, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline offers free, around-the-clock support, information and resources for help. Call or text the lifeline at 988, or see the 988lifeline.org website, where chat is available.