Inmate Ruben Treviño Dies of an Infection in a Washington Jail
In Washington news from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) published on November 4, 2025, a 54-year-old man was found dead in Grant County Jail.
A recent in-custody death at the Grant County Jail has prompted a multi-agency investigation and renewed concerns about the medical treatment provided to detainees. Per a press release from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), an inmate—later identified as Ruben Treviño—was discovered unresponsive in a special holding cell on the morning of November 3, 2025.
Jail staff found Mr. Treviño around 7:00 a.m., alone in his cell, showing no signs of breathing or pulse. Life-saving measures were initiated immediately, but Ruben Treviño was pronounced deceased approximately 30 minutes later. He was only 54 years old. His family was notified that afternoon.
A subsequent report from the county coroner determined that Mr. Treviño died from peritonitis caused by a perforated duodenal ulcer, a potentially life-threatening medical emergency involving an infection stemming from a perforation in the upper small intestine. Although the means of death was classified as natural, the incident raises important questions about whether warning signs were missed and whether appropriate medical care was provided during the man’s detention.
Mr. Treviño had been booked into the Grant County Jail on October 31, 2025, following an arrest by the Moses Lake Police Department. He remained in custody until his death.
The Central Basin Investigative Team, supported by detectives from police departments in Ellensburg and Othello, as well as the Washington State Patrol, is conducting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances leading up to the incident.
The address of the Grant County Jail is 35 C St NW, Ephrata, Washington 98823. The jail has a bed capacity of 512.
Inmates in Local Jails Die from Treatable Infections
The following is one of many custodial deaths in recent years that were caused by treatable infections:
Inmate Death at Indiana’s Allen County Jail Linked to a Peritonitis Infection
A recent custodial death at the Allen County Jail is raising questions about inmate medical care and the facility’s response to serious health issues. According to officials, 36-year-old Paul Green died shortly after being transported to a local hospital. The Allen County Coroner attributed his death to peritonitis, a dangerous infection that often results from a perforated bowel, ruptured appendix, or other untreated gastrointestinal conditions.
Mr. Green had been incarcerated since August 8, 2024, and was reportedly placed on the jail’s medical watch list. Indiana State Police indicated that jail staff last observed him responsive at 1:50 a.m. Motion-activated video showed him moving inside his cell until approximately 2:38 a.m. He was discovered unresponsive around 2:50 a.m., prompting jail personnel to initiate emergency measures. CPR began at 2:53 a.m., and paramedics arrived shortly after 3:00 a.m. Mr. Green was taken to Lutheran Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased soon after arrival.
Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that demands prompt medical treatment. When left unrecognized or untreated, infections related to perforated organs can rapidly progress and become fatal. Incidents like this often raise critical concerns about whether symptoms were properly identified, whether medical protocols were followed, and whether detainees received timely care.
The address of Allen County Jail is 417 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46802. The jail has a 1,386-inmate capacity.
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