HIDALGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

SHERIFF J. E. “EDDIE” GUERRA

MEDIA RELEASE
Date: Monday, September 14, 2020

To: All Media Sources (Open Release)

Subject: Media Release Regarding Jorge Alejandro Gonzalez Zuniga

Details: On September 3, 2020, notice was received that a lawsuit had been filed against certain
deputies of the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s office.

The lawsuit is a civil negligence claim for injuries and damages allegedly suffered by
Mr. Jorge Alejandro Gonzalez Zuniga during his arrest and detention on April 12, 2020
for Public Intoxication, Loitering, Curfew Violation and Resisting Arrest at a mobile
home park near Delta Lake. It is alleged that the arrest resulted in an unfortunate spinal
injury to Mr. Zuniga, and to his later demise.

First, on behalf of the County of Hidalgo and the Sheriff’s Office, I offer my heartfelt
condolences to the family of Mr. Zuniga for their loss.

The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office is committed to the full and complete
investigation of complaints against the department and its employees. The day after the
arrest, the Sheriff’s Office requested an independent investigation by the Texas
Department of Public Safety. A Texas Ranger was assigned to the investigation. The
Office cooperated fully with the Ranger’s investigation, made all records available for
his review, and provided access to each involved person for interview.

The Ranger’s report was first delivered to the Hidalgo County District Attorney’s
Office which I understand was presented to a Grand Jury which returned a “no bill” on
August 20, 2020. Thereafter, at least parts of such report have been delivered to the
Internal Affairs Division of my office for an administrative investigation. That internal
affairs investigation is in process. Pending the results of such investigation, the three
arresting deputies are on administrative leave. Once the internal affairs investigation is
complete, I will review and consider the recommendations of my staff.

What we know now about the incident includes the following:

On April 12, 2020, Sheriff Deputies were called to the scene of an early morning
disturbance and assault at a mobile home park on FM 88 in the Delta Lake area. During
their investigation, they found a large, unconscious, young adult male (later identified
to be Mr. Zuniga), lying on the ground among empty beer bottles. He was awakened by
the officers but clearly was very intoxicated. I am informed that a later blood test
confirmed the presence of cocaine in his system.

711 El Cibolo Road • P.O. Box 1228 • Edinburg, Texas 78540

Office: (956) 383-8114
The deputies gave Mr. Zuniga multiple chances to go inside and safely sleep off the
intoxication or to call someone to pick him up. He began to walk around aimlessly and
knocked on at least one door without success. The owner said Zuniga was not a resident
and did not want him at the park. Mr. Zuniga insisted that he was going to walk home
which would have involved walking along the highway by a canal in a highly
intoxicated state. He was then told that he was going to be placed under arrest and taken
into custody so that he could “sober up” in jail.

Mr. Zuniga refused to cooperate and became physically agitated, verbally abusive, and
strongly resisted efforts to be taken into custody. Pepper Spray, Tasers, and three
deputies were required to accomplish his physical restraint and placement into the
backseat of the police cruiser. As he was placed into the car, he made several statements
claiming that he had been hurt in the process.

Once in the jail, Mr. Zuniga was seen by a nurse, but because of his advanced state of
intoxication, his spinal injuries were not discovered until many hours later that day. As
soon as jail personnel realized he was seriously injured, an ambulance was called, and
he was transported to the hospital for treatment. Sometime later, the hospital said that
Mr. Zuniga had suffered a vertebral fracture. The lawsuit alleges that he later died of
complications related to a spinal injury. We are not in possession of the medical records
required to confirm the cause of death.

It is my intention that all personnel in the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office respect and
protect the civil rights of the citizens in this county. Any allegation that a citizen’s
rights have been violated is taken seriously and corrective action will be taken when
justified. We will continue to share information as we can within the rules of law and
the orders of the Court.

Mr. Preston Henrichson and his law firm, Henrichson Law, PLLC have been employed
to respond to any inquiry in this case on behalf of Hidalgo County and the Sheriff’s
Office. You are referred to Mr. Henrichson at the below listed address and telephone
number for all questions related to the subject lawsuit and related matters. I will not
comment further at this time.

Preston Edward Henrichson

HENRICHSON LAW PLLC
222 West Cano
Edinburg, Texas 78539
956-383-3535