21-year-old Texas inmate found hanging from shower nearly one day after arrest

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By Darla Guillen, Chron.com / Houston Chronicle

Updated 12:02 pm, Monday, June 12, 2017

Photo: Smith County Jail

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Caption

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Carlos Jose Hernandez Jr., 21, of Troup, Texas, was found hanging in his cell.

>>Click to see how inmates died in Texas prisons over the past year.

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Carlos Jose Hernandez Jr., 21, of Troup, Texas, was found hanging in his cell.

>>Click to see how inmates died in Texas prisons over the past year.

… more

Photo: Smith County Jail

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Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony

Suicide: 3

Homicide: 1

Natural: 80

Accidental: 0

Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony

Suicide: 3

Homicide: 1

Natural: 80

Accidental: 0

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Gib Lewis Unit in Woodville

Suicide: 3

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

Gib Lewis Unit in Woodville

Suicide: 3

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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TDJC Estelle Unit in Huntsville

Suicide: 3

Homicide: 0

Natural: 33

Accidental: 0

TDJC Estelle Unit in Huntsville

Suicide: 3

Homicide: 0

Natural: 33

Accidental: 0

Photo: Brett Coomer, Staff

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Huntsville Unit in Huntsville

Execution: 13

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Huntsville Unit in Huntsville

Execution: 13

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Photo: Rose Baca, Associated Press

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Died during offender transportation

Accidental: 8

Died during offender transportation

Accidental: 8

Photo: Jon Shapley, Staff

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George Beto Unit in Tennessee Colony

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

George Beto Unit in Tennessee Colony

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Photo: LM OTERO, AP

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Crain Unit for women in Gatesville

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Crain Unit for women in Gatesville

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

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William P. Clements Unit in Amarillo

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 1

Natural: 7

Accidental: 0

William P. Clements Unit in Amarillo

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 1

Natural: 7

Accidental: 0

Photo: AP Photo/Amarillo Globe News, Michael Schumacher

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James V. Allred Unit near Wichita Falls

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 4

Accidental: 0

James V. Allred Unit near Wichita Falls

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 4

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 4

Accidental: 0

Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 4

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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John B. Connally Unit near Kenedy

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

John B. Connally Unit near Kenedy

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

Photo: ERIC GAY

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Jim Ferguson Unit near Huntsville

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Jim Ferguson Unit near Huntsville

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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TDCJ Darrington Unit in Rosharon

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

TDCJ Darrington Unit in Rosharon

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

Photo: Billy Smith II, Staff

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Joe F. Gurney Transfer Facility in Palistine

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

Joe F. Gurney Transfer Facility in Palistine

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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TDCJ Polunsky Unit in Livingston

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 11

Accidental: 0

TDCJ Polunsky Unit in Livingston

Suicide: 2

Homicide: 0

Natural: 11

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Holliday Transfer Facility in Huntsville

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

Holliday Transfer Facility in Huntsville

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 0

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Mark Stiles Unit Beaumont

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 7

Accidental: 0

Mark Stiles Unit Beaumont

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 7

Accidental: 0

Photo: Beaumont

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Charles T. Terrell Unit in Brazoria County

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 9

Accidental: 0

Charles T. Terrell Unit in Brazoria County

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 9

Accidental: 0

Photo: Ruth Fremson, New York Times

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French Robertson Unit in Abilene, Texas

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

French Robertson Unit in Abilene, Texas

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Robert Nickelsberg, Getty Images

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Eastham Unit in Lovelady

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Eastham Unit in Lovelady

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Byrd Unit in Huntsville

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Byrd Unit in Huntsville

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Photo: David J. Phillip, STF

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Jester III and IV Units (combined) in Richmond

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 8

Accidental: 2

Jester III and IV Units (combined) in Richmond

Suicide: 1

Homicide: 0

Natural: 8

Accidental: 2

Photo: Google Maps

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Galveston Unit (Hospital) in Galveston

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 84

Accidental: 0

Galveston Unit (Hospital) in Galveston

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 84

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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John T. Montford Psychiatric Unit in Lubbock

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 28

Accidental: 1

John T. Montford Psychiatric Unit in Lubbock

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 28

Accidental: 1

Photo: Google Maps

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Young Medical Unit in Dickinson

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 32

Accidental: 0

Young Medical Unit in Dickinson

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 32

Accidental: 0

Photo: Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

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Wallace Pack Unit in Navasota

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 6

Accidental: 0

Wallace Pack Unit in Navasota

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 6

Accidental: 0

Photo: BOB OWEN, STAFF

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Alfred D. Hughes Unit in Gatesville

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 4

Accidental: 0

Alfred D. Hughes Unit in Gatesville

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 4

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Powledge Unit in Palestine

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 3

Accidental: 0

Powledge Unit in Palestine

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 3

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Hutchins Unit in Dallas

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 3

Accidental: 0

Hutchins Unit in Dallas

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 3

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Ellis Unit in Huntsville, Texas

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 3

Accidental: 0

Ellis Unit in Huntsville, Texas

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 3

Accidental: 0

Photo: Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

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McConnell Unit in Beeville

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

McConnell Unit in Beeville

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Photo: BOB OWEN, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Wayne Scott Unit in Angleton

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Wayne Scott Unit in Angleton

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Photo: Scott Mullin

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East Texas Treatment is a private prison in Henderson.

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

East Texas Treatment is a private prison in Henderson.

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

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Barry B. Telford Unit in New Boston

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Barry B. Telford Unit in New Boston

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Stringfellow Unit near Rosharon

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Stringfellow Unit near Rosharon

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Steve Ueckert, Houston Chronicle

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Hightower Unit in Dayton, Texas

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Hightower Unit in Dayton, Texas

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Staff

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Dominguez Unit in San Antonio

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Dominguez Unit in San Antonio

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Nicole Fruge, San Antonio Express-News

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Bartlett Unit in Williamson County

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Bartlett Unit in Williamson County

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Courtesy, Google Maps

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Duncan Unit in Diboll

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Duncan Unit in Diboll

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Garza West Unit in Beeville

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Garza West Unit in Beeville

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Dr. Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Dr. Lane Murray Unit in Gatesville

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 2

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Dalhart Unit in Dalhart

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Dalhart Unit in Dalhart

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Johnston Unit in Winnsboro

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Johnston Unit in Winnsboro

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Nathaniel J. Neal Unit in Amarillo

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Nathaniel J. Neal Unit in Amarillo

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Pam Lychner State Jail in Humble

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Pam Lychner State Jail in Humble

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Wynne Unit in Huntsville, Texas

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 3

Accidental: 0

Wynne Unit in Huntsville, Texas

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 3

Accidental: 0

Photo: Billy Smith II, Billy Smith II / Houston Chronicle

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LeBlanc Unit in Beaumont

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

LeBlanc Unit in Beaumont

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Kyle Correctional Center (private jail) in Kyle

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Kyle Correctional Center (private jail) in Kyle

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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Joe Kegans State Jail in Houston

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Joe Kegans State Jail in Houston

Suicide: 0

Homicide: 0

Natural: 1

Accidental: 0

Photo: Google Maps

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The Texas Rangers are investigating after a 21-year-old inmate was found “hanging from the shower from a ligature” in a side cell one day after being booked on drug charges.

Carlos Jose Hernandez, Jr. died early Monday, around midnight, in Tyler, Texas. He was booked in the Smith County Jail early Sunday morning for possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

His bail totaled $8,500, but he could not be released due to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer, according to a statement released by the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

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Hernandez was placed in a side cell on suicide watch as a result of the responses he offered police when he was booked. According to the sheriff’s office, observation logs and video footage show that police checked on him in 10-minute intervals.

He was reportedly checked at 12:11 a.m. and seen sleeping. At 12:20 a.m., he was allegedly found hanging.

His body was transported for an autopsy at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science (Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office) in Dallas.

Hernandez had previously been incarcerated in the Smith County Jail on two occasions. In December 2016 he was arrested for criminal trespass and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and held for three days. On Feb. 18, 2017 he was arrested and held for one day for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a prohibited weapon.