Press Release: Federal Court Denies Request to Dismiss Pneumonia Jail Death Lawsuit

Federal Court Denies Request to Dismiss Pneumonia Jail Death Lawsuit

For Immediate Release

January 31, 2026

Peter Mendoza, Jr. was arrested and taken to the Reeves County jail. He was incarcerated in the jail for several days and ultimately died at a local hospital after being transported by ambulance far too late.

Jailers indicated that Peter displayed several symptoms while allegedly going through withdrawals. Several jail employees saw and learned of symptoms such as body chills, profuse sweating, and minimal appetite. By the time Peter received needed emergency medical care, his blood pressure and blood oxygen levels were far too low. Peter needlessly died of severe pneumonia.

Constitutional rights lawyer Dean Malone represents a family member and filed a federal lawsuit against Reeves County. Reeves County hired a lawyer who in turn asked the Court to dismiss the case.  The Court substantially denied the motion and allowed the case to continue.  Copies of the magistrate judge’s report and recommendation, and the district judge’s order adopting the report and recommendation, are attached to this press release.

Mr. Malone said, “No person in Texas, with our excellent medical personnel and hospitals, should die from untreated pneumonia. Even if the person is in jail.  We are glad that the Court allowed the case to continue so that we can present our claims to a jury.  Defendants in jail neglect and death cases almost always ask courts to dismiss cases, hoping that a jury will never hear what happened.  Our law firm will keep fighting for this family in the pursuit of justice.”

Dean Malone – Yniquez v. Reeves County Report and Recommendation

Dean Malone – Yniquez v. Reeves County District Court Order

Written By: Dean Malone

Dean Malone

Dean Malone is the founder of Law Offices of Dean Malone, P.C., a jail neglect civil rights law firm. Mr. Malone earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Texas at Dallas, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA, and from Baylor University School of Law with a general civil litigation concentration. Mr. Malone served in several staff positions for the Baylor Law Review, including executive editor. Mr. Malone is an experienced trial lawyer, trying a number of cases to jury verdict and also handling arbitrations through final hearing. He heads the jail neglect section of his law firm, in which lawyers litigate cases involving serious injury and death resulting from jail neglect and abuse. Lawyers frequently refer cases to Mr. Malone due to his focus on this very complicated civil rights practice area.