Man Dies After Struggle During Release Process at Harris County Jail

A 32-year-old man died early Tuesday morning following a struggle with detention officers during the release process at Harris County Jail, raising questions about whether the incident qualifies as an in-custody death under Texas law.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Alexis Jovany Cardenas was being escorted out of the jail by a detention officer just before 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, when he allegedly physically resisted. According to officials, an officer deployed a Taser during the encounter. Cardenas reportedly ran back into a secure area of the jail where inmates are processed for release, and it took multiple officers to restrain him.

Once subdued, Cardenas became unresponsive and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Authorities reported the incident to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which will determine whether the incident legally qualifies as an in-custody death.

The Sheriff’s Office maintains that Cardenas was “technically no longer in custody” at the time of the altercation, as the incident took place in an area outside the main secured detention zone. However, jail oversight advocates are pushing back against that interpretation.

Krish Gundu, co-founder of the Texas Jail Project, argues that the distinction is immaterial to grieving families and public accountability. “There are all these little holes and technicalities,” Gundu said. “It always comes down to that, which again isn’t helpful for family members to hear.”

Under Texas state law, a death is considered in custody if it occurs while a person is in the custody of a peace officer or results from a peace officer’s use of force. Based on this definition, Gundu insists the death should count as in-custody.

The incident marks what could become the 11th in-custody death reported by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in 2024, depending on the final ruling from the Commission. The growing number of such deaths has drawn concern from advocates, particularly amid legislative changes that restrict bond eligibility and could lead to more individuals being held in pretrial detention.

The Harris County Jail has long faced criticism over overcrowding and safety violations. On June 30, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards issued a report citing problems such as inmates being held too long in holding cells and missed fire inspections. The Sheriff’s Office stated that efforts to correct those deficiencies are underway or already completed.

According to court records, Cardenas had been jailed due to a warrant stemming from a 2014 traffic incident in which he was cited for driving without a license or insurance. His case was dismissed the day before his death, with a judge ordering him to pay $30 in legal fees.

The Texas Rangers are now leading an investigation into the incident, and an autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death.