Inmate’s Death Under Investigation, Sarasota Sheriff Says

SARASOTA, FL — The Wednesday morning death of a Sarasota County Jail inmate has sparked an investigation.

According to the sheriff’s office, Julio Cesar Santos-Rodriquez, 34, was found unresponsive in his cell just before 5:30 a.m. Oct. 4. Corrections deputies attempted lifesaving measures and contacted emergency services, an email from the sheriff’s office said. (For more local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Sarasota Patch. Click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

The Sarasota man was taken to a local hospital, but was pronounced dead, the email said.

“Based on preliminary investigation, it appears the cause may be medical in nature however, as always, the official cause of death will be determined and released by the Medical Examiner’s Office,” the sheriff’s office noted.

Santos-Rodriguez was arrested on a negligent manslaughter charge on Jan. 29, 2016, and had been in custody ever since. Jail records indicate his bond was set at $100,000.

No further information is available at this time.

Like Sarasota Patch on Facebook:

Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota County Jail