Family of man killed in El Paso County jail sues for wrongful death

On November 20, 2024By Pranco

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — The family of Jesus Torres, who was beaten to death in an El Paso County jail cell in November 2023, has filed a federal lawsuit against the county, alleging negligence in his death.

The lawsuit, filed nearly a year after Torres’ death, accuses the prison of failing to protect him while he awaited trial.

On November 27, 2023, at approximately 7:53 a.m., an officer found 57-year-old Torres dead in his cell. An investigation revealed that Torres had died the night before, around 8 p.m., according to the lawsuit timeline.

The family claims the prison failed to properly monitor inmates, leading Torres to be found 12 hours after he was allegedly attacked by six other inmates.

Those prisoners were identified as 31-year-old Manuel Alejandro Vargas, 18-year-old Juan Alberto Ortiz, 23-year-old George Lopez, 38-year-old Jesus Adrian Rocha, 29-year-old Jovani Dionicio Ramos, and 25-year-old Christian Carillo.

El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles previously stated that inmate rounds were being held hourly in the general population cell block where Torres was housed.

“It’s a general population cell and those checks are done every 60 minutes. Not every 30 minutes. And we believe those checks have been done,” Wiles said.

However, the lawsuit alleges that the prison failed to conduct personal checks and ensure Torres’ safety by placing him in a cell with people facing more serious charges, such as human trafficking and murder.

The lawsuit also points to prison surveillance footage showing the six accused inmates hitting Torres.

During a tour of the prison last year shortly after the incident, the prison’s assistant chief acknowledged that it is difficult to keep an eye on all inmates at all times.

Describing the attack as premeditated, Sheriff Wiles said: “This was actually a pre-planned attack on the victim. A letter had been found from one of the persons involved in the murder.”

The lawsuit further alleges that Torres’ death report was falsified, with discrepancies in the dates and times of the incident, stating that Torres was attacked on November 27 and died a few hours later the same day.

According to the complaint, Torres was attacked on Sunday and found nearly 12 hours later on Monday.

The sheriff’s affidavit supports this timeline, suggesting the inmates involved may have tried to make it appear as if Torres was asleep during the rounds.

Dean Malone, the family’s lawyer, criticized the prison’s response, saying: “It makes no sense at all that the murder of Jesus was completely visible to the prison guards through a camera feed, and no one ever came to help. In fact, it is still What’s more bizarre is that Jesus’ murder was on full display for the jailers.” lifeless body lay in the cell for hours before it was discovered.”

The family, including Torres’ two sons and two daughters, is seeking damages for what they claim is their father’s wrongful death.

Surveillance video of the incident has been requested but has not been produced, and the sheriff’s department has not commented on the lawsuit.

RELATED: Details surrounding Sunday’s El Paso County Jail killing released