The family of Saul Vargas is suing Galveston County Jail, alleging his death resulted from staff failing to intervene after a detention officer used excessive force.
HOUSTON — The family of a man who died while in custody at the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office jail has filed a federal lawsuit alleging jail staff failed to provide medical care after a detention officer allegedly used excessive force against him.
The lawsuit, filed by civil rights attorney Randall Callinen, names Galveston County, the jail and several individuals the family says were responsible for the death of 39-year-old Saul Vargas in 2024.
“We just want justice, and we want it to stop,” Vargas’ wife, Candalaria Palacios, said.
Callinen said the lawsuit seeks accountability not only for the officer charged in the case, but also for others who allegedly failed to intervene.
“We are suing all of the individuals who are responsible for the suffering and death of Saul Vargas,” Callinen said.
According to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office, Vargas had been in jail for about a week while awaiting a court appearance following his arrest on a charge of fraudulent use of a credit card.
Authorities said Vargas was tased during a struggle while being moved to an isolation cell and was later found unresponsive.
The medical examiner ruled Vargas died from asphyxia caused by neck compression.
Prosecutors allege 27-year-old Skylar Chapman caused Vargas’ death by placing his knee or leg on Vargas’ neck. Chapman was charged with criminally negligent homicide following an investigation by the Texas Rangers.
The lawsuit alleges surveillance video from inside the jail shows multiple people observing Vargas after the altercation while he remained in distress without receiving medical attention.
“His arm was like this, and he stayed in that position for 20 minutes while people looked at him,” Callinen said. “He was in dire need of medical care.”
Callinen said the family believes Vargas may have survived had staff intervened sooner.
“If they would’ve just intervened sooner, he would have likely survived,” he said.
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