Saul Vargas
Saul Vargas, 39, was held at the Galveston County Jail for about eight days in September 2024, and his wife, Candelaria Palacios, has said he was a good father and grandfather who was helping her through cancer treatment. The sheriff's office said deputies used force against him and that he was found unresponsive about 30 minutes later. Video reviewed by The Daily News shows deputies restraining him, removing his clothing and placing him face down over a concrete bench, where he stayed for nearly 20 minutes after staff left the cell. The autopsy ruled his death a homicide caused by asphyxia from neck compression, and a former jailer pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide and received deferred adjudication. His family has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Galveston County and others, who deny the allegations.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (neglect alleged). The autopsy ruled the death a homicide from asphyxia caused by neck compression, and the family's lawsuit says deputies restrained him and delayed medical care, while video reviewed by The Daily News shows nearly 20 minutes passed before staff returned to his cell.
Reported by: Galveston County medical examiner (autopsy) (medical examiner or coroner); Galveston County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Vargas family and their lawyers (federal civil rights lawsuit) (family or their lawyers); Galveston County District Attorney's Office (outside investigators); The Daily News (video reviewed) (reporters).
Lawsuit: Saul Vargas's family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Galveston County, several deputies, a nurse and a former medical contractor, and the case is pending with the defendants denying the allegations.
News reports (11)
- Inmate dies at Galveston County Jail after being tased, sheriff says
- Man shot with Taser and later found dead in Galveston County jail
- Calls for federal investigation after jail death
- Custodial death report 24-1442-CJ
- Former Galveston County Jail officer indicted for criminally negligent homicide in inmate’s death
- Former Galveston County Jail officer charged with criminally negligent homicide in the death of an inmate in 2024, DA says
- Former Galveston County Sheriff's Office deputy indicted in inmate death
- Lawsuit alleges excessive force, delayed care in Galveston County Jail death
- Family of Galveston County inmate demands more be charged in connection with his death
- Family of Texas City man killed in Galveston County jail disappointed over plea deal
- Former Galveston County jailer pleads guilty to criminally negligent homicide, receives probation