Incident Date: July 8, 2025
Time: 12:50 a.m.
Location: 700 N. San Jacinto Street
Suspect: Alexis Jovany Cardenas, 32
Aug. 1, 2025 – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has released relevant video footage from a critical incident that occurred on July 8, 2025.
Alexis Jovany Cardenas, 32, died after engaging in a physical altercation with detention officers who were attempting to escort him out of the Harris County Jail.
Cardenas was released from custody and was being walked to an exit door when he refused to leave, physically resisting detention officers as they attempted to direct him outside the building. One detention officer deployed his Taser in an effort to gain control of Cardenas, but it was not immediately effective. At one point, Cardenas forced his way back into the secure area of the jail where inmates were being processed for release.
Multiple detention officers eventually gained control over Cardenas. After control was established, they noticed Cardenas was unresponsive. A detention sergeant then administered CPR while jail medical staff responded to the area to continue administering aid. Cardenas was then taken to St. Joseph Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 1:57 a.m.
Cardenas had been in jail since July 6, when the Houston Police Department arrested him on municipal charges.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident. The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences is conducting an autopsy to determine Cardenas’ cause of death. An administrative investigation to determine whether all relevant policies were followed is being conducted by the Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs.
One sergeant and six detention officers have been temporarily reassigned to duties that do not involve direct contact with inmates.
The relevant video footage is available on the Sheriff’s Office YouTube page and public website. The direct link is below. Viewer discretion is advised due to the video’s graphic and sensitive nature.
Click this link: HCSO YouTube Channel.
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