According to court documents, former jail officer Skyler Chapman was charged with criminally negligent homicide in 2025 after he was accused of kneeling on inmate Saul Vargas' neck, causing his death in September 2024.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Galveston County jail officer accused of fatally kneeling on inmate's neck
Vargas was behind bars awaiting trial after he was accused of evading arrest and burglary.
In May, Vargas' family filed a federal lawsuit against Chapman and others they believe are responsible for his death. Court records show Chapman has since pleaded guilty, but Vargas' family says that's not enough.
"We have filed a federal civil rights case against several of the deputies who used the excessive force, as well as the medical care provider who didn't provide the medical care they should have, and as well as Galveston County," family attorney Randall Kallinen said.
"How could you treat somebody so coldly? They did everything they did, and they left him there, like nothing, like trash," said Candelaria Palacios, Vargas' wife.
According to the lawsuit, Vargas pushed past deputies after they opened his cell to deliver a mattress. ABC13 viewed a video of what appeared to be the violent altercation between Vargas and the officers, but has decided not to show it at this time.
The lawsuit says Vargas was tased multiple times by a sergeant before alleging Chapman placed his knee and lower leg on Vargas' neck.
It also alleges Vargas was silent before staff left the cell. About 20 minutes later, they returned and found him unresponsive.
According to court records, Chapman will be on probation for 10 years and can no longer work as a law enforcement officer.