Inmate Ginez Stephanie Joanna Dies in Bexar County Jail
Ginez Stephanie Joanna, 36, was booked into the Bexar County Jail on June 22, 2025, on a drug offense. Tragically, Ms. Joanna died in the jail approximately 78 hours later. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Ms. Joanna on July 2, 2025.
Per the CDR, Ms. Joanna appeared to be intoxicated on alcohol or drugs, and she exhibited medical problems during the booking process. She was placed in a multiple occupancy cell.
On June 25, 2025, at about 6:25 p.m., a code 1 blue was initiated in Unit 1 Bravo. In Unit 1B, Deputy Veronica Vargas identified Ms. Joanna as being unresponsive and not breathing. Inmate Joanna was on her side covered with her county issued blanket. SERT Cpl. Martinez removed the blanket from Ms. Joanna and verified what Deputy Vargas had said.
Ms. Joanna was placed on her back and moved to the floor. Lifesaving measures were initiated by medical staff. Cpl. Martinez administered the first dose of Narcan at approximately 6:26 p.m. Medical staff requested emergency medical services (EMS) to be called. At 6:28 p.m., Cpl. Brandon Copeland called 9-1-1. A second dose of Narcan was administered to Ms. Joanna by medical staff at 6:29 p.m. The San Antonio Fire Department arrived at unit 1 Bravo at 6:43 p.m. Paramedic J. Long #1343 pronounced Ginez Stephanie Joanna deceased at approximately 6:47 p.m.
Bexar County Jail, aka Bexar County Adult Detention Center, is at 200 North Comal Street, San Antonio, TX 78207. The jail’s inmate capacity is 5,075 detainees.
A Man in Valley Jail Dies in Withdrawal After Multiple Falls
It is not rare for inmates in county and municipal jails to go through withdrawals due to the sudden cessation of a drug or alcohol habit. The jails must be prepared to meet the needs of these detainees. It is a fundamental right to be given access to necessary medical care. With treatments available, the reality is that many withdrawal deaths in jails are preventable.
In March 2025, 55-year-old Steven Miller was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department and placed in Valley Jail. Mr. Miller informed the medical staff 16 hours after he went through the intake process that he was a heroin user and was experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Purportedly, the staff provided treatment and released him to return to the holding cell where he was housed. Two days passed, and at 5 a.m. on March 11, Mr. Miller can be seen on video collapsing and striking his head on a nearby toilet and the concrete floor.
A brutal series of events is also captured on video in which Mr. Miller repeatedly falls, violently striking his head each time. By the time help arrived, it was too late. He was pronounced deceased about an hour after the first collapse.
Need Legal Help After Jail Neglect or Abuse?
Being held in a local jail does not strip someone of their basic civil rights. When detainees suffer jail neglect or a denial of essential medical care, those failures must not go unchallenged.
If you suspect that neglect or abuse contributed to the death of a loved one while in custody, the Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C. is here to help. Our firm concentrates on cases involving deaths in detention and has extensive experience with these challenging and emotional cases.
Call, text, or use our secure online form to request a free consultation today.
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