HOUSTON – The family of a man beaten by detention officers at a Harris County jail processing center are demanding answers.
KPRC 2 obtained footage of the fight which shows D’Alessandro Chavez-Sandoval being punched multiple times by several guards.
The video prompted loved ones to ask federal and state law enforcement to launch an investigation into the case.
There is no audio in the video, but it is clear there was some sort of exchange and within seconds it’s an all-out fist fight.
Sandoval’s mother, Angelina, says her son was treated unfairly.
“As a mother I don’t want wish this on any other mother. I just want justice and I ask the sheriff to watch that video,” she said.
The brawl which took place just over two weeks ago didn’t last long, but according to civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen, medical records indicate Sandoval came away with a head injury, facial swelling, nasal swelling, and bleeding in his nostrils.
“You see on the video other guards coming in and also swinging on D’Alessandro when the guards already gave him what the proper procedure is, to take him to the ground and put the handcuffs on him,” Kallinen said.
Sandoval was at the processing center after being arrested when court documents said he was approached by detention officer George Navarro Villeda.
“About five or six years ago, he got into some juvenile trouble and as a result he was on some type of probation and then he had a technical violation and so they brought him here, and so there was no new crime,” Kallinen said.
Footage of the brawl was released just two days after a press conference was held to address newly released videos from the jail which they say showed a culture of chaos.
According to officials, the families of 27 detainees who were either beaten or killed while in custody at the Harris County Jail were also there.
“This has been a severe problem here at the Harris County Jail with guards using excessive force on individuals,” Kallinen said.
Sandoval remains at the Harris County Jail Sunday night. He’s since been charged with assault on a public servant.
KPRC 2 reached out to the sheriff’s office for comment, but have not heard back.