Inmate Died after Struggling to Breathe in Jail Cell | News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The inmate who died in jail this morning had a clean bill of health, but was struggling to breathe.

That information came late this morning in a news release from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office spokesman Dewayne Richardson.

Richardson indicated the victim, 33-year-old Mata Alvino, was in his cell in the early morning hours when his breathing problems caused his cellmate to wake up, and he in turn called for officers.

The officers called Jacksonville Fire and Rescue to the jail, and rescue personnel took Alvino to a local hospital, where he died.

JSO Department of Corrections Director Jimmy Holderfield explained that it appeared Alvino had a seizure.

Richardson said Alvino was from Glen Flora, Texas, and was being held for violation of probation relating to a sexual battery.

Medical personnel at the jail examined Alvino Tuesday during a 14-day check-up, and found him to be in good mental and physical health.

An autopsy will determine his cause of death.  Foul play is not suspected, and Holderfield added there had been no issues related to Alvino while he was in custody, which was since Oct. 18.