Inmate dies at UMC after struggle at county jail
An inmate who died Wednesday after a struggle with jail guards left him unconscious last month was a “good guy” and father of five, the man’s daughter said Thursday night.
Eighteen-year-old Carmen Solano said her grieving family has retained a lawyer and is hoping to retrieve a video that captured the Feb. 25 struggle between her father, 38-year-old Luis Solano, and four employees at the Clark County Detention Center.
Las Vegas police said Solano died Wednesday at University Medical Center.
He was uncooperative before the struggle at the jail ensued, police said.
The physical encounter between the jail employees and Solano lasted about three minutes. Jail personnel noticed he was unconscious and struggling to breathe, police said.
Solano was taken to UMC in critical condition.
His cause of death was not released Thursday.
Solano was in jail on charges of trafficking cocaine, violation of the uniform controlled substance act and possession of marijuana with intent to sell.
Carmen Solano acknowledged her father was dealing drugs. But, she said, he was a good father who financially supported his children.
“He wasn’t a bad guy. He wasn’t a violent guy,” Carmen Solano said. “I miss him.”
Her father was jailed Feb. 21, she said.
She added her dad stood about 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed about 250 pounds. He was taking medication for anxiety, and he was a diabetic who didn’t treat his condition, Carmen Solano said.
She didn’t know whether personnel at the county jail knew about his medical history or were treating his anxiety.
When asked whether she believed police contributed to his death, Carmen Solano said: “I would not even doubt it for a second.”
Three jail guards and one jail sergeant are on routine paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation of the incident, police said.
Their names will be released after 48 hours, per department policy.
Four men died in January 2012 after they were taken into custody by Las Vegas police.
On Jan. 14, 2012, shortly after midnight, 51-year-old Ona Sean Grimes died at the county jail after a likely medical episode.
On Jan. 18, 2012, Anthony Barrett, 43, died after swallowing a bag of cocaine just before police arrested him.
On Jan. 21, 2012, 31-year-old Farouk Hanga-Taylor died after suffering a possible seizure in his cell. He died at UMC
Hanga-Taylor was arrested after he struck and killed a man with his vehicle.
On Jan. 24, 2012, James Venters, 42, died after being taken to the county jail by officers with the Taxicab Authority.
Police said Venters was disputing a fare near 15th and Fremont streets when he was arrested for being “combative.” Corrections officers tried to revive him at the jail. Paramedics arrived and took Venters to Valley Hospital Medical Center, where he died.
Contact reporter Antonio Planas at aplanas@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4638.
