Anthony Villaflor Dies in the Custody of Jefferson County Jail
Thirty-six-year-old Anthony Scott Villaflor was arrested by officers of the Port Arthur Police Department in Port Arthur, Texas, on October 4, 2024. Days later, he died in the custody of the Jefferson County Correctional Facility in pre-booking status. The custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Villaflor was filed by the Port Arthur Police Department on January 10, 2025.
The circumstances of Mr. Villaflor’s arrest indicate that he was suffering from a medical issue. He had been treated in a hospital’s emergency department. Afterward, he refused to leave and began to create a disturbance. Port Arthur police officers were called to assist Mr. Villaflor in leaving the hospital, but he refused.
After many attempts, Mr. Villaflor was taken into police custody and administered medication by a nurse. He was then placed in a patrol car, where the officers became alarmed when Mr. Villaflor stopped yelling. His health status was checked, and the officers transported Mr. Villaflor to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.
Upon his arrival, the jail staff discovered a faint pulse or no pulse. The staff administered medical assistance, and Mr. Villaflor was returned by ambulance to a local hospital. After being treated, he was moved to a hospital in Galveston, Texas, which is where he was pronounced deceased on October 13, 2024.
The address of Jefferson County Jail aka Jefferson County Correctional Facility is 5030 US-69, Beaumont, TX 77705. The jail has an inmate capacity of 1,147.
Jail Incarceration Provides an Opportunity to Address Withdrawal
When a person with a substance use disorder (SUD) is placed in jail, it is a valuable opportunity to identify symptoms of withdrawal and address them. Inmates have a right to receive vital medical treatment. Tragically, however, research shows that between 2000 and 2019, the number of people who died in jail from drug or alcohol intoxication increased by 397%. More statistics follow:
- The median length of stay in jail before death due to drug or alcohol intoxication was 1 day.
- In a Pennsylvania county jail, 81% of the detainees needed detoxification treatment (half of those were for opioid use disorders).
- One study revealed that alcohol was involved in 76% of the jail deaths related to withdrawal, which confirmed longstanding research indicating the lethality of alcohol withdrawal.
If withdrawal symptoms go untreated, the potentially serious health complications that can result include the following:
- Seizures
- Heart problems
- Anxiety
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Hypernatremia (elevated blood sodium level)
- Tremors
- Death
Suicide is a serious problem in jails, being the leading cause of death among inmates in city and county jail facilities. Stimulant withdrawal exacerbates this problem, being a key factor that contributes to suicide.
Looking for Help with Jail Medical Neglect?
If you or a loved one has endured serious harm or loss of life due to medical neglect in jail, the Law Offices of Dean Malone is here to help. Individuals awaiting trial have a constitutional right to receive proper medical care. Jail officials who demonstrate deliberate indifference to the medical needs of inmates can and should be held accountable.
Reach out to us for a free case review anytime—call, text, or fill out our online form. We’re here 24/7 to support you.
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