Dontriel Jovan Coates

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 21-921-CJ Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 1/24/2022 6:36 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Chambers County Agency Name: Agency Address: PO BOX 998 Sheriff's Office Agency City: Anahuac Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 77514 Director Information Director Salutation: Chief Deputy Director First Name: John Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Leger Reporter Name: John Leger Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Dontriel Middle Name: Jovan Last Name: Coates Suffix: Date of Birth: 2/12/1984 Sex: Male Black or African Race: American Age At Time Of Death: 37 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 7/14/2021 11:08 Incident: AM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 7/14/2021 7:19 PM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Alcohol/Drug Manner of Death: Intoxication Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Toxic effects of methamphetamine Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: No If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Decedent If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Not Applicable death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Drug overdose Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? 201 North Court Street Address: City: Anahuac Street County: Chambers Zip: 77514 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Law Enforcement Location Category: Facility What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Type of Custody: County Jail Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Jail - holding cell What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 7/14/2021 11:08 Entry Date Time: AM Where did the death occur? Death Location: Medical facility General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Other Agencies Respond?: No Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Alias Capias- Motion to Revoke Probation for Manufacture / Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 >=4g < 200g Offense 2: Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 >=1g < 4g Offense 3: A probation/parole Were the Charges:: violation What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Alcohol / drug Type of Offense: offense; Other, specify Type of Offense, Other: Subject was initially offered a courtesy ride home. A subsequent warrant check revealed the MTRP. Drug possession was not determined until search before entry into jail facility. At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of No weapons: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Attempt to Injure Others?: No At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Unknown Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Exhibit any mental health No Exhibit any medical problems?: No problems?: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No No standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No No including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: Dontriel Jovan Coates, DOB 02/12/1984 Male/Black 37 years of age. Additional identifiers for Mr. Coates are as follows: Mr. Coates was placed under arrest by Deputy Kyle Barnes and brought to the Chambers County Jail July 14, 2021 at approximately 11:08 hrs. The arrest was the result of an Alias Capias issued by the 344th District Court relative to a Motion to Revoke Probation for Manufacture / Delivery of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 >=4g < 200g. While inventorying Mr. Coates property, Mr. Coates was found to be in possession of a white crystal substance believed to be methamphetamine and subsequently charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 >=1g < 4g. Mr. Coates was verbally aggressive for a short time while he was received and booked in, but became more cooperative as time passed. After being searched and given a Jail Uniform Mr. Coates was placed in Holdover 1 to await arraignment. Mr. Coates made four phone calls to his mother, Cherry Coates. Mr. Coates asked his Mother to contact “Bill” whom he identified to his Mother as a Bondsman. The first three calls mainly discussed why he had been arrested and whether or not he could be bonded. The last call discussed the issue that because he had been arrested relative to a Motion to Revoke Probation the Judge’s Fiat had a preset bond as “No bond”. Mr. Coates also asked his Mother to call the Jail and tell them that he wanted to speak to the Captain. Ms. Coates advised her son that he could make the request himself. It Should be noted that Mr. Coates did not state or suggest that he was not feeling well nor were any health related issues discussed. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- At Approximately 14:30 hrs. Mr. Coates asked to speak to Captain Todd Harris. Captain Harris briefly spoke to Mr. Coates at Holdover 1 at approximately 14:47 hrs. Captain Harris subsequently escorted Mr. Coates to his Office where Captain Harris listened to Mr. Coates as he relayed concerns that his rights were being violated and that he was being disrespected. This discussion lasted approximately 20 minutes. When asked how his rights were being violated, Mr. Coates stated that he was originally told he had a misdemeanor charge and now he was being told he had two felony charges and no bond. Captain Harris discussed the Capias and Judge’s Fiat and explained that only the Court could reset his bond. When asked how he was being disrespected Mr. Coates stated he had asked for his phone in order to get some numbers out of it, and he was being ignored. Captain Harris explained that his property had been inventoried, and he was not permitted to have his phone in the holding cell. It was further explained that staff would assist him with getting information (phone numbers) if possible, but it would be when they had an opportunity to do so. At approximately 15:08 hrs. Mr. Coates was escorted back to Holdover 1 and secured within said cell without incident. It should be noted that Mr. Coates did not state, suggest, or make reference to any health related issue nor did Mr. Coates appear to be suffering from any type of illness. Routine rounds were conducted at least every 30 minutes. Staff did not observe any unusual behavior or activity involving Mr. Coates. At approximately 16:34 hrs. Officer Rene Odom was in process of booking in an Offender and was positioned approximately 20 feet from Holdover 1. Mr. Coates can be seen within Holdover 1 laying on the bench positioned on his stomach. Mr. Coates can be seen raising himself to his elbows and says something (unintelligible). This draws the attention of Officer Odom who asks Mr. Coates; “Coates, are you OK over there?”. Mr. Coates gives a verbal response that sounds like “Fucking trying to sleep you’re keeping me awake.” Due to the quality of the audio it is difficult to be certain as to the exact statement. Officer Odom responds “Coates.. Dontriel.” It appears that Mr. Coates gives some sort of nonverbal response or low verbal response to Officer Odom indicating he was OK. At approximately 16:35 hrs. Mr. Coates appears to cough two or three times. At approximately 16:36 hrs. Officer Odom asks Officer Robbie Bridwell to assist her and Officer Odom and Officer Elizabeth San Miguel approach Holdover 1 where Officer Odom speaks to Mr. Coates followed by Officer Bridwell. Mr. Coates is responsive and moves from a prone position on the bench to a seated position. Officer Odom visually assesses Mr. Coates and notes that he is covered in perspiration. At Approximately 16:37 hrs. Officer Odom directs Officer Riley Wilson to Call EMS as well as radios for the Jail LVN Rhonda Meguess to come to Holdover 1. Officer Bridwell enters Holdover 1 and speaks to Mr Coates and asks if he ingested anything prior to coming to jail. Mr. Coates is responsive but difficult to understand. At 16:38 hrs. LVN Meguess and other responding staff members including Captain Harris arrive at the cell. Captain Harris asks Mr. Coates if he can stand and assists Mr. Coates to a standing position by supporting his right arm while Officer Bridwell assists by supporting Mr. Coates’ left arm. Mr. Coates is able to take two small steps forward but then begins to fall forward. Captain Harris and Officer Bridwell support Mr. Coates to prevent his fall then lower Mr. Coates to the floor positioning him on his side while protecting his head area. Captain Harris instructs staff to keep Mr. Coates on his side to prevent positional asphyxia and to reduce the risk of aspiration should Mr. Coates vomit. Staff monitored Mr. Coates pulse and breathing while awaiting for EMS to arrive. LVN Meguess attempted to obtain a blood pressure reading several time but was unable to get a reading. At approximately 16:44 hrs. Captain Harris used the light function on his cell phone to look at Mr. Coates eyes. Mr. Coates’ pupils were dilated and non-responsive to light stimulus nor was there a blink or reflex to Captain Harris moving the eye lid up in order to see the entire pupil. EMS arrived at the CCSO Jail at approximately 16:50. Jail staff assisted EMS with moving Mr. Coates to the gurney and preparing him for transport. EMS departed the CCSO Jail facility at approximately 16:54 hrs. Shortly after being placed in the ambulance Mr. Coates’ heart failed. EMS initiated CPR and continued CPR while Mr. Coates was transported to Bayside Community Hospital. Medical Staff worked continuously to stabilize Mr. Coates for transport via helicopter to Herman Memorial Hospital. Despite the best efforts of the medical team, Mr. Coates deteriorated to a point that was beyond care. Dr. Redmond of Bayside Clinic pronounced Mr. Coates Dead at 19:19 hrs. Captain Harris notified Chief Deputy John Leger and Sheriff Brian Hawthorne of Mr. Coates passing at 19:22 hrs. . DPS Region 2 Director Jason Taylor was notified of the in-custody death of Mr. Coates at approximately 19:30 hrs. Ranger Joseph Dreaden was assigned to investigate. Justice of the Peace David Hatfield was contacted at approximately 19:56 hrs. and responded to Bayside Community Hospital, Judge Hatfield performed an inquest and ordered an autopsy. Mr. Coates emergency contact (Mother) Cherry Coates was notified of Dontriel Coates passing at approximately 21:16 hrs. On 07-26-2021, Chief Deputy Leger met with Ranger Dreaden about the autopsy results for Coates. Ranger Dreaden advised the preliminary report listed pulmonary edema, an enlarged heart, and two plastic baggies found in the stomach contents. The results were listed as pending toxicology results. Autopsy results have been updated in the Manner/Cause of Death section. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Custodial Death Report :: Page 8 of 8