EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has announced an investigation into the death of a federal inmate at the El Paso County Detention Facility. <\/p>\n
According to the sheriff’s office, the inmate was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and died on Jan. 25 at approximately 9:08 p.m.<\/p>\n
In compliance with state law, the incident has been reported to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) and the Texas Attorney General\u2019s Office. <\/p>\n
According to a custodial death report on the Texas Attorney General’s website, the inmate is identified as George Vargas.<\/p>\n
According to the medical examiner’s preliminary report, Vargas’s manner of death is natural, resulting from a natural bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism. However, this is pending the official autopsy results.<\/p>\n
The custodial death report also states Vargas, who was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service for in-transit\/importation of methamphetamine, experienced breathing difficulties on Jan. 23.<\/p>\n
According to the report, medical staff were called to evaluate Vargas and transported him to the clinic for further evaluation. Vargas was then taken by the El Paso Fire Department to University Medical Center.<\/p>\n
Despite continued medical evaluation, Vargas died on Jan. 25.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the El Paso County Sheriff\u2019s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Texas Rangers, and TCJS are also conducting independent investigations. <\/p>\n
Additionally, the Sheriff\u2019s Office Internal Affairs Division is carrying out a separate administrative investigation to assess any potential policy violations.<\/p>\n
Sheriff Oscar Ugarte released the following statement on the matter:<\/p>\n
“The El Paso County Sheriff\u2019s Office is reporting an in-custody death involving a federal inmate who had been housed at the El Paso County Detention Facility. The individual was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment and later died on January 25, 2026, at approximately 9:08 p.m. In accordance with federal regulations governing federal inmates housed in local detention facilities, no additional identifying or medical information will be released.<\/p>\n
As required by state law, every in-custody death is reported to both the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) and the Texas Attorney General\u2019s Office. The incident is independently investigated by the El Paso County Sheriff\u2019s Office Major Crimes Unit, the Texas Rangers, and TCJS. The Sheriff\u2019s Office Internal Affairs Division also conducts a separate administrative investigation to determine whether any policies or procedures were violated. If investigations determine that employee actions contributed to a death or that policies were violated, appropriate accountability measures will be taken.<\/p>\n
To date, TCJS has not found our office to be out of compliance, and we remain in full adherence with all state-mandated protocols. At the same time, our office is actively reviewing policies and practices, improving technology, and evaluating medical and mental health practices to identify opportunities to go above and beyond existing state-mandated standards. We understand that even one death in our jails is one too many.<\/p>\n
The health, safety, and well-being of individuals in our custody remain a top priority. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and the continuous improvement of our practices.\u201d<\/p>\n
RECOMMENDED: In-custody death in West El Paso ruled homicide by medical examiner<\/a><\/p>\n