Rego Berto Ornelas Jr.
Not found on the Texas Attorney General’s published list of deaths in custody.
Rego Berto Ornelas Jr., a 45-year-old man, was the only living son of his mother, Rachel Ornelas, after two of her other sons had died, and she said, "I don't have my son any longer." On October 28, 2024, officers brought him to the Galveston County Jail, where, according to court filings, jail medical staff declined to accept him and recommended a hospital evaluation. While he waited in the jail's sally port for a restraint device, he went into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at a hospital. The medical examiner determined that he died from the toxic effects of methamphetamine, while his family's federal lawsuit alleges that officers failed to provide him with medical care.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death was caused by toxic effects of methamphetamine, while his family's federal lawsuit alleges officers failed to provide him medical care.
Reported by: medical examiner or coroner; his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued in federal court over the officers' alleged failure to provide medical care, and no settlement or award amount is reported.