Jessie Villarreal

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information ORIGINAL CDR Number: 25-700-CJ Version Type: VERSION Report Date: 9/8/2025 2:21 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Gonzales County Agency Name: Agency Address: PO BOX 1757 Sheriff's Office Agency City: Gonzales Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 78629 Director Information Director Salutation: Sheriff Director First Name: Keith Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Schmidt Reporter Name: Jared Brumme Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Jessie Middle Name: Last Name: Villarreal Suffix: Date of Birth: 6/29/1971 Sex: Male Race: Anglo or White Age At Time Of Death: 54 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 7/13/2025 2:45 PM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 7/30/2025 12:58 Death Date and Time: AM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results Evaluation?: pending What was the manner of death? (select only one) Pending autopsy Manner of Death: results Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Unknown at this time, autopsy results are pending from the Travis County Medical Examiners Office Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Yes If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Not applicable 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? Pre existing medical Pre-existing medical condition?: condition If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Not applicable, cause of death was Means of Death: illness/natural cause Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? 1713 East Sarah Street Address: City: Gonzales Dewitt Drive County: Gonzales Zip: 78629 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 - single 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): 7/13/2025 12:17 Entry Date Time: PM Where did the death occur? Law enforcement Death Location: facility/booking center General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Other Agencies Respond?: Yes 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: Possession of a Controlled Substance PG1<1G Offense 2: Tamper/Fabricate Physical Evidence with Intent to Impair Offense 3: N/A Were the Charges:: Filed What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Alcohol / drug Type of Offense: offense 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 No Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: Yes problems?: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- 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: On July 29, 2025 at approximately 10:14PM, I, Sergeant Investigator Jared Brumme with the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division received a phone notification from Captain Sean Newlin notifying me of a death that occurred in the Gonzales County Jail. Captain Newlin advised that CID assistance was being requested and also advised that I needed to contact the Texas Department of Public Safety Ranger Division and notify them of the death. At approximately 10:16 PM, I made contact with Texas Ranger Conde Benoist and notified him of the in custody death and requested his assistance at the Gonzales County Jail. At approximately 10:23 PM I contacted Investigator Brent Gindler also with the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office and requested his assistance at the Gonzales County jail. I then promptly responded to the Gonzales County Jail. As I was responding, Ranger Benoist and I discussed what immediate actions needed to be taken. I was advised and requested to secure the cell, identify every person who had access to the jail cell and obtained their identifying information. I was also asked to gather any known medical information or documents pertaining to the inmate. At approximately 10:18 PM, I called the Gonzales County Jail and was transferred to Jail Corrections Officer Sergeant Dylan Cantrell, I requested Sergeant Cantrell to lock down the cell that the inmate was in and not allow anybody in or out of that cell. I also requested that he obtain original copies of the Cell Check Log, the Master Cell Check Log and the Control Room Log. I also asked Sergeant Cantrell to write down a list of names of every person who entered the cell and provide that to me when I arrived on scene. Upon my arrival at the jail, I was informed the inmate who was deceased was identified as Jessie Villarreal W/M DOB 06-29-1971. I was notified Villarreal was located in Segregation cell 15 located within the Gonzales County Jail. As I was walking in the Sheriff’s Office, I observed Gonzales County Sheriff Keith Schmidt and Chief Deputy Dennis Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Jahns were also at the Sheriff’s Office. I secured my duty weapon in the lockbox provided in Dispatch and proceeded to cell 15. At 22:41 I entered the jail and walked to cell 15. I observed the door was closed and nobody was standing around the cell. There was a black cloth, covering the window to view inside the cell. I removed the black cloth from the window so that I could view inside the cell. As I looked inside the cell, I observed the cell to be in disarray with scattered papers throughout the cell. As I continued looking around the cell, I observed Villarreal laying supine with his head near the door and feet towards the shower area in the cell. He was covered by a white blanket and I could not view the entirety of his body due to the way he was laying. I did not open the cell door at that time. I then left the immediate area of cell 15 and proceeded to the jail supervisors’ office. Once inside the office I observed Jail Lieutenant Kenneth West, Jail Sergeant Briansha Polk and Sergeant Cantrell were inside the supervisor's office. I was provided a list of the officers’ names who were on duty for the jail at that time as well as the three EMS Personnel who were on scene and provided medical aid to Villarreal. I requested all three jail supervisors obtain original log reports and provide to me so that I could get them to the Ranger upon his arrival. I then left the jail area and proceeded to the Sheriff’s Office where I waited for Ranger Benoist to arrive. Once Ranger Benoit arrived, he was escorted into the jail and to cell 15. We began the investigation at approximately 12:29 AM. At approximately 12:31 AM Ranger Benoist entered cell 15 for the first time and began taking numerous photos. Investigator Gindler was also taking photos at my request, as part of the administrative investigation. At approximately 12:42 AM I requested that Ranger Benoist performed an intercom test on cell 15 to ensure that it was functioning and the control room operator received the notification. The intercom system was functioning properly and answered the intercom. Once Ranger Benoist completed his investigation, he requested that a Justice of the Peace be notified at approximately 12:49 AM. I contacted Gonzales County Dispatch and ask them to contact Justice of the Peace Precinct One Judge Deidre Voigt. Shortly thereafter Judge Voigt called me on my cell phone. She advised me that she would not be responding to the jail however, she would conduct her inquest via telephone. Judge Voigt pronounced time of death at 12:58 AM. I requested Investigator Brent Gindler notify Villarreal's next of kin of his death. At approximately 1:15 AM, I was advised the Yoakum Police Department had conducted the death notification to Villarreal's sister who was identified to me as Rosie Villarreal. At approximately 1:15 AM, with permission from Judge Voigt, the next rotation funeral home was requested to respond to the Gonzales County Jail to take custody of Villarreal and transport him to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy to be completed. I was advised that Seydler Hill Funeral Home would be in route. Once Seydler Hill arrived on scene at approximately 1:51 am several on duty jail staff assisted Seydler Hill with securing Villarreal and escorting him out of the jail to their transport vehicle. Once Seydler Hill took possession of Villarreal and left the jail, Ranger Benoist and I returned to my office where he began conducting interviews with the on duty jail staff. First to be interviewed was Dylan Tyler Cantrell W/M DOB 09-07-2001, Sergeant Cantrell was asked how long he has worked for the Gonzales County Jail. He stated two years and three months. Sergeant Cantrell was asked how long he had been a sergeant for the Gonzales County Jail, he stated 5 to 6 months. Sergeant Cantrell was asked what shift he was working today in the jail. He stated he came on duty at 2:30 PM and was scheduled to go off duty at 11 PM. Range Benoist asked Sergeant Cantrell to recall the best that he could what events occurred tonight. Sergeant Cantrell stated at approximately 21:35 Corrections Officer Espinoza called him on the radio and requested his assistance at cell 15. Sergeant Cantrell stated when he arrived at the cell, he was informed that inmate Villarreal was not responsive. Sergeant Cantrell stated he checked Villarreal and observed that he was cold to the touch and he did not get a response from the inmate. Sergeant Cantrell stated that Villarreal I was laying on his right side and he was facing the wall. Sergeant Cantrell stated he checked for a pulse and did not locate a pulse. He stated at that time he called for EMS to respond using his radio. Sergeant Cantrell stated that he then rolled Villarreal on his back and started Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Sergeant Cantrell stated that he requested a blood pressure cuff and the AED From the booking area be brought to cell 15. Sergeant Cantrell stated that he continued doing CPR until EMS arrived. Sergeant Cantrell stated that once EMS arrived, they asked the jail staff to move Villarreal from the bed, to the floor. Sergeant Cantrell stated that once EMS arrived, they took over CPR and continued to work on Villarreal for approximately 25 to 30 minutes before they stopped CPR. Sergeant Cantrell estimated that he performed approximately 3 to 4 rounds of CPR before EMS arrived. Ranger Benoist then concluded the interview at approximately 1:31 AM. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 8 --- PAGE BREAK --- Next Ranger Benoist called in Corrections Officer Isaac Ivan Espinoza W/M DOB 10-30-2001 into the office to interview him. Ranger Benoist began the interview at 1:35 AM. Correction Officer Espinoza was asked how long he had worked for the Gonzales County Jail. He stated approximately two years, he was asked what shift he was working tonight. He replied he was working 5:45 PM through 6 AM. Espinoza was then asked to describe the events that occurred tonight. Officer Espinoza stated at approximately 9:20 to 9:30 PM, he was performing med pass on the jail block, and he responded to cell 15 to pass out medication to inmate Villarreal. He stated upon opening the door he observed that Inmate Villarreal was not awake. Officer Espinoza stated he called out to Villarreal but did not receive a response so he began shaking Villarreal in attempt to wake him up. Officer Espinoza stated that he observed Villarreal was cold to the touch. At that time he called for Sergeant Cantrell to come and assist him in cell 15. Officer Espinoza stated he stood by as CPR was conducted on Villarreal. Officer Espinoza stated he did not perform CPR on Villarreal. At approximately 1:41 AM range Benoit ended the interview. Next Ranger Benoist called in Corrections Officer Christopher Ryan Kaiser W/M DOB 06-14-2002 into my office. Ranger Benoist began the interview at approximately 1:48 AM. Corrections Officer Kaiser stated that he had been employed with the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office Jail Division for approximately four months and also had approximately one year with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office prior to his employment with Gonzales County. Officer Kaiser stated he was assigned to work 5:45 PM to 6 AM. Officer Kaiser stated that he was in booking when he heard everything start at approximately 9:35 PM. Officer Kaiser stated that he heard Officer Espinoza call for Sergeant Cantrell on the radio and requested that Sergeant Cantrell respond to cell 15. Officer Kaiser stated he responded as well to see if he could help. Officer Kaiser stated when he arrived he saw Sergeant Cantrell doing CPR on Villarreal. Officer Kaiser stated that he stayed with Sergeant Cantrell and together they would switch doing CPR to give the other person a break. Officer Kaiser stated when EMS arrived they took over CPR. Officer Kaiser estimated that he performed 2 to 3 CPR rotations on Villarreal and conducted compression only CPR. Officer Kaiser stated when EMS arrived they requested that Villarreal be moved to the floor from where he was on the bed. Officer Kaiser stated he assisted in moving Villarreal to the floor. Ranger Benoist then ended the interview at approximately 1:54 AM. Ranger Benoist then called Corrections Officer Albert Camarillo Junior, W/M DOB 08-21-2002 into the office. Ranger Benoist began the interview at approximately 2:22 AM. Officer Camarillo stated that he had been a Corrections Officer with the Gonzales County Sheriff’s Office Jail Division for approximately four months and was working the 6 PM to 6 AM shift. Officer Camarillo stated that he was on the unit and was near cell six when he heard everything start on the radio. Officer Camarillo state that he responded to cell 15 to see what was going on. He stated he was instructed to go obtain the blood pressure machine and bring it back to cell 15. Officer Camarillo stated that he did not render any medical treatment to Villarreal and only stood by and took orders as they were given to him by Sergeant Cantrell. Ranger Benoist then ended the interview at approximately 2:28 AM Once these interviews were completed, we ended the investigation for the night. Custodial Death Report :: Page 8 of 8