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La Marque man dies after medical emergency at Galveston County Jail, officials say

Officials say he admitted to ingesting cocaine during a jail medical evaluation

Police Lights (KPRC/Click2Houston.com)

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – A man taken into custody in La Marque early Sunday morning died a short time later after he became critically ill at the Galveston County Jail, according to the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s office officials said Jarrod Holt, 51, was arrested by the La Marque Police Department at 4:49 a.m. this morning on a felony parole board warrant.

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Police then transported Holt to the Galveston County Jail, arriving at about 5:39 a.m., the sheriff’s office said. After he arrived, Holt was seen by UTMB medical staff as part of an intake evaluation.

During that assessment, Holt told medical personnel he had ingested cocaine, according to the sheriff’s office.

Not long after, Holt’s condition worsened quickly. Officials said he began vomiting and sweating heavily. UTMB staff started emergency care, including CPR, and Holt was taken to UTMB Galveston, where he was pronounced dead at 6:44 a.m., the sheriff’s office said.

As required under Texas Jail Standards, the sheriff’s office said it notified the Texas Rangers and the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office, which are conducting an independent review. Both agencies responded to the scene and are reviewing the incident.