An Inmate of Victory County, Texas Jail Dies While in Custody
On Monday, July 17, 2017, a vehicle that 34-year-old Anthony Rivera was in was stopped in Victoria, Texas. Victoria police arrested Rivera, who was a passenger, on suspicion of marijuana possession, under 2 ounces. According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, Rivera was placed into the holding area of the Victoria County Jail at approximately 10:40 p.m. He was processed at about 11:55 and returned to the holding cell. At about 12:55 am, Rivera reportedly began experiencing an unknown medical event, later described as convulsing. First members of the medical staff were summoned, and they called for emergency medical services. At about 1:14 am, Rivera was transported by EMS to Citizens Medical Center. While en route, Rivera suffered a cardiac event, according to the custodial death report. At 2:28 am on July 18, he was pronounced dead by a physician.
It also shows in the custodial death report that Rivera allegedly had marijuana and methamphetamines in his system. According to the sheriff’s office, law enforcement officers believe he ingested methamphetamines to avoid being arrested for possession of the drugs. Results from the medical examiner are awaited.
A general requirement in Texas is that jail cells must be checked every 30 minutes. A report from the sheriff’s office shows that inmate checks were done in 15-minute intervals during the time Rivera was there.
Records indicate that there have been 11 custodial deaths at the Victoria County Jail since 2005.
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