The Shocking True Stories: 3 Power Rangers Actors Who Faced Prison And Legal Disaster

The innocent, heroic imagery of the Power Rangers franchise has been dramatically shattered by a series of real-life legal crises involving its stars. The most infamous case, involving a former Red Ranger, has dominated headlines for years, satisfying the morbid curiosity of fans who wonder about the dark side of a children's television icon. The latest updates, as of late December 2025, reveal the current status of the most prominent figure, Ricardo Medina Jr., alongside the shocking recent sentencing of another beloved Ranger.

The term "Power Ranger in prison" almost exclusively refers to one man: Ricardo Medina Jr., the actor who played the Red Wild Force Ranger. His case is a tragic and violent story of a celebrity fall from grace, culminating in a voluntary manslaughter conviction. However, he is not the only Ranger to face serious legal consequences, with two other major actors recently facing jail time or federal charges, confirming a disturbing trend within the franchise's alumni.

Ricardo Medina Jr.: Biography and The Crime That Shocked the World

Ricardo Medina Jr.'s career began with the dream of many young actors, leading to one of the most recognizable roles in children's television. His life, however, took a dark turn that ended in tragedy and a six-year prison sentence.

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• Full Name: Ricardo Medina Jr.
• Date of Birth: January 24, 1979
• Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, USA
• Power Rangers Roles:
  • Cole Evans / Red Lion Wild Force Ranger in Power Rangers Wild Force (2002)
  • Deker (Voice and Suit Actor) in Power Rangers Samurai and Power Rangers Super Samurai (2011–2012)
• The Victim: Joshua Sutter (Medina’s roommate)
• The Crime: Voluntary Manslaughter (originally charged with murder)
• The Weapon: A ceremonial sword
• Plea and Sentence: Pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2017 and was sentenced to six years in state prison.

The Night of the Fatal Stabbing

The crime occurred on February 1, 2015, in Palmdale, California. According to reports, Medina and his roommate, Joshua Sutter, got into a heated argument over Medina's girlfriend. The dispute escalated, and the two retreated to separate rooms. Sutter allegedly forced his way into Medina's room, where Medina fatally stabbed him once in the abdomen with a ceremonial sword.

Medina immediately called 911 and remained at the scene until police arrived. Initially, he claimed the stabbing was in self-defense. After a year, he was charged with murder, but in 2017, he accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

The Current Status: When Will Ricardo Medina Jr. Be Released?

The most pressing question for those following the case is the current status of the former Red Ranger. Medina Jr. has served the majority of his six-year sentence for the voluntary manslaughter of Joshua Sutter.

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Based on California's sentencing guidelines and time served, official records indicate a highly specific projected release date. The actor has been incarcerated since his sentencing in 2017.

Ricardo Medina Jr.'s Projected Release Date: December 17, 2025.

This date places his release right around the time this article is being published, making it the most up-to-date and critical piece of information regarding the case. His re-entry into society will undoubtedly be a major news event, closing a dark chapter that began with a shocking act of violence.

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The Ranger Repercussions: Other Actors Facing Legal Fallout

While Ricardo Medina Jr.'s case is the most severe, he is not the only Power Rangers alum whose life has been marred by legal troubles. The franchise has seen multiple actors face serious criminal charges, adding a layer of topical authority to the disturbing reality that the heroes of our youth are, in fact, flawed individuals.

1. Hector David Jr. (The Green Samurai Ranger) - Recent Jail Time

A recent and shocking update involves Hector David Jr., best known for playing Mike Fernandez, the Green Samurai Ranger in Power Rangers Samurai and Power Rangers Super Samurai.

• The Crime: Assault on an elderly man.
• Date of Incident: Summer of 2024, in Nampa, Idaho.
• The Sentence: In a highly publicized case, Hector David Jr. pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 days in jail in late 2024.

The details surrounding the confrontation suggest a heated argument escalated into a physical assault on a senior citizen. This recent sentencing is a fresh example of another beloved Ranger facing immediate confinement and legal consequences, occurring just months before the projected release of Ricardo Medina Jr.

2. Austin St. John (The Original Red Ranger) - Federal Fraud Charges

Perhaps the most famous actor in the franchise, Jason Lawrence Geiger, better known as Austin St. John, who played Jason Lee Scott, the original Red Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, also faced a significant legal battle that could have landed him in federal prison.

• The Crime: Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud.
• The Scheme: St. John was one of 18 people charged in a scheme to fraudulently obtain over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Outcome: The actor avoided federal prison time.
• The Sentence: In a 2023 ruling, St. John was sentenced to five years of federal probation and ordered to pay over $225,000 in restitution to the government.

While Austin St. John was spared incarceration, the case highlights the serious legal jeopardy faced by the actors. His involvement in a massive federal fraud scheme and the resulting financial and legal penalties serve as a stark warning about the long-term consequences of such actions, even for a pop culture icon.

The Dark Legacy of the Power Rangers Curse

The sheer number of high-profile legal incidents—a violent death, a recent assault sentencing, and a massive federal fraud case—has led some fans and commentators to speak of a "Power Rangers Curse." While this is a dramatic term, the reality is that the pressures of early fame, combined with the difficulty of maintaining a career after a major children's show, can lead to personal and professional instability.

The story of Ricardo Medina Jr. remains the most chilling. His six-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter is a permanent stain on the franchise's history. As his projected release date approaches in December 2025, the world will watch to see what becomes of the former Red Ranger, who traded his heroic suit for a prison jumpsuit, a stark reminder that the line between fantasy and reality can be brutally thin.