GALVESTON COUNTY — The Texas Rangers have opened an investigation into the death of a 52-year-old inmate at the Galveston County Jail, officials told the Galveston Daily News.

Fernando Torres, of Texas City, was booked into the jail on May 14 after being arrested by La Marque police on a third-degree felony charge of possessing less than one gram of fentanyl. He died 10 days later, on May 24.

The Galveston County Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Torres died of natural causes related to complications from diabetes.

As is standard procedure with in-custody deaths, the Texas Rangers are investigating. Sgt. Stephen Woodard with the Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that once their investigation is complete, findings will be submitted to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Commission on Jail Standards.

Jail records show Torres had previously been released from custody in March after reaching a plea agreement in a criminal mischief case. That case involved allegations that he had taken his mother’s vehicle and used her credit and debit cards without permission.

Torres’ death marks the first in-custody fatality reported at the Galveston County Jail since Sheriff Jimmy Fullen took office on January 1.

In 2024, four inmates died while in custody at the jail. Most of those cases are still under investigation by the Texas Rangers. The medical examiner determined that two of the deaths were due to health complications, including one incident involving a female inmate who was involved in a physical altercation with corrections deputies.

One of the four 2024 cases was ruled a suicide. Another 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 investigating two other in-custody deaths connected to arrests by the Texas City Police Department.

One case involves Rego Ornelas, 45, who died in late October after reportedly suffering a medical episode upon arriving at the jail. The other involves Derrick Dewayne Glenn, 47, who died on December 10 at HCA Mainland Medical Center. Authorities said Glenn had ingested a bag containing drugs during a traffic stop on Oak Street in West Texas City.

Includes reporting by Scott McLendon, Galveston County Daily News.