Tom Green County Jail Inmate Lester Lewis Travioli Dies
Lester Lewis Travioli went through intake at Tom Green County Jail on May 1, 2024. Mr. Travioli was sweeping the floor in the multiple occupancy cell where he was housed when, at 11:54 PM on December 24, 2024, he suddenly fell on his back and lost consciousness. Two corrections officers were in the immediate area preparing to conduct a head count. They promptly assisted Mr. Travioli in sitting up but realized he wasn’t breathing. Lifesaving measures were quickly initiated; but at 12:39 AM on December 25, 2024, 61-year-old Lester Travioli was pronounced deceased.
The Tom Green County Sheriff’s Department filed a custodial death report (CDR) about Mr. Travioli on January 7, 2025. The CDR indicates that Mr. Travioli was on several prescription medications. He also had an extensive medical history, including seizures and other diseases. At the time of booking, he was observed to exhibit mental and medical problems.
Tom Green County Jail is at 122 W Harris Ave in San Angelo, Texas 76903. The inmate capacity is 1,001.
Which Inmate at Tom Green County Jail Died Following Failures in Supervision?
In November 2024, Tom Green County Jail was cited for failing to supervise an inmate in the time preceding that person’s death. Specifically, two supervision rounds were not conducted with the required face-to-face observations. It is difficult to know via public records which of two detainees who died in the custody of Tom Green County Jail in October 2024 was associated with the TCJS inspectors’ findings. Details about both custodial deaths follow.
A Suicide in Tom Green County Jail
A 59-year-old woman died on October 20, 2024. She had entered the jail eight days earlier. The CDR’s summary of how her death occurred reveals that at 7:28 PM that day, the woman was discovered hanging from the shower nozzle in the single occupancy cell where she was housed. She had used torn bedding or clothing to fashion a ligature, which was wrapped around her neck and attached to the shower nozzle. She was pronounced deceased at 10:06 PM, though lifesaving measures continued during that entire period.
Suicide is the leading cause of deaths in local jails like the one in San Angelo. All members of any Texas jail staff are required to receive training in suicide prevention. The first month of incarceration is the time when a significant number of suicides occur, and vigilance over new inmates is imperative. Because supervision is the chief deterrent of suicide, the fact that this detainee was alone in a cell should have increased the sense of urgency in keeping watch over her, at least according to minimum jail standards.
A Medical Emergency is Followed by Death in Tom Green County Jail
October 15, 2024, was the second day a 65-year-old man was an inmate in Tom Green County Jail. He was found unresponsive that day and died the next. The circumstances of his arrest involved his having sought further medical assistance for chest pains at Shannon Medical Center and then failing to leave the hospital premises. He was returned to that same medical center before being declared deceased on October 16.
Because the inmate’s arrest involved his alarm over chest pains, a sensitivity to his health was called for. In cases like this, a lack in supervision could potentially make the difference between life and death.
Seeking Justice for a Death Caused by Jail Negligence?
Being incarcerated does not strip a person of their fundamental civil rights. If you believe that medical neglect in a Texas city or county jail led to your loved one’s death, it is vital to take swift action. Contact the Law Offices of Dean Malone today. Our knowledgeable team routinely handles custodial death cases, including jail suicides, working to hold jails accountable and seeking justice for inmates and their families.
We also advocate for former inmates who have suffered serious injuries due to abuse or neglect while in custody. Our team is available 24/7 to provide assistance. Reach out to us by phone, text, or through our online form. We are deeply committed to asserting the rights of inmates and their families.
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