HCSO inmate death investigated as in-custody death, attorney general says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A man's death at the Harris County jail last month is now being investigated as an in-custody death, according to a new report from the attorney general's office.

Video released nearly two weeks ago by the sheriff's office shows 32-year-old Alexis Jovany Cardenas appearing to be struggling with deputies at the jail. Then he became unresponsive, according to the sheriff's office.

"You can think of someone dying of old age, or sickness, or whatever, but something like that, it's ridiculous, over a traffic violation," Melissa Cardenas, the victim's cousin, said.

Every day is still hard for Melissa Cardenas and her family as they deal with the loss of Alexis Jovany Cardenas, who now leaves behind four children.

The video shows Alexis Cardenas in a confrontation with deputies after his release, when he appears to re-enter the jail. Then, deputies appear to pin him down for several minutes.

RELATED: Harris County Sheriff's Office releases surveillance video after man dies upon release from jail

"At the end of the day, why couldn't he just be re-arrested?" Melissa Cardenas questioned. "There was no de-escalation of any kind."

His cousin was still emotional as she recalled the video.

"He knew that if he did anything, he wasn't going to come home to his kids, so he didn't even defend himself," Melissa Cardenas said.

During the recent Texas Commission on Jail Standards meeting, Cardenas' sister also confronted Sheriff Ed Gonzalez herself.

"We need answers. We want justice, my brother did not deserve to die," Genesis Guzman, the victim's sister, said.

While the sheriff said the sergeant and six other detention officers involved are no longer dealing with inmates right now, the Cardenas family is still looking for accountability.

"At this point, after that video, I want everybody charged. Everybody should be indicted who was in that room," Melissa Cardenas said.

The sheriff's office said it cannot comment on pending litigation. Meanwhile, the investigation into Cardenas' death is still ongoing.

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