Texas Rangers Investigating Inmate Death at Galveston County Jail
- According to the medical examiner, Fernando Torres died of natural causes
GALVESTON COUNTY — The Texas Rangers have launched an investigation into the death of a 52-year-old inmate at the Galveston County Jail, officials confirmed.
Fernando Torres, of Texas City, was booked into the jail on May 14 following his arrest by La Marque police on a third-degree felony charge of possession of less than one gram of fentanyl. He died 10 days later, on May 24.
According to the Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office, Torres died of natural causes related to complications from diabetes.
As is standard procedure in in-custody deaths, the Texas Rangers are investigating. Sgt. Stephen Woodard of the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that once complete, the findings will be forwarded to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards for review.
Jail records show Torres had previously been released from custody in March after reaching a plea agreement in a criminal mischief case involving allegations he stole his mother’s car and used her credit and debit cards without permission.
His death is the first in-custody fatality reported at the jail since Sheriff Jimmy Fullen assumed office on January 1.
In 2024, four inmates died while in custody at the Galveston County Jail. The Texas Rangers are still investigating most of those cases, although medical examiners determined that two of the deaths were health-related — including one incident in which a female inmate became involved in a physical altercation with corrections deputies.
One of the four deaths was ruled a suicide. The fourth remains under investigation following the use of a Taser on inmate Saul Vargas during an altercation in September. Vargas had been jailed for eight days on burglary charges.
The Texas Rangers and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office are also overseeing investigations into two in-custody deaths involving the Texas City Police Department.
One of those cases involves Rego Ornelas, 45, who died in late October after reportedly suffering a medical issue upon arrival at the county jail following his arrest.
The second case involves Derrick Dewayne Glenn, 47, who died on December 10 at HCA Mainland Medical Center. Police reported that Glenn had ingested a bag containing drugs during a traffic stop on Oak Street in West Texas City.
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