RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) — For the second time in less than three months, family members of inmates who’ve died inside Riverside County jails stood on the steps of the federal courthouse in downtown Riverside to announce the filing of federal civil rights lawsuits.

Flanked by two attorneys, they accused Riverside County, the sheriff’s department and Sheriff Chad Bianco of negligence, wrongful death, medical malpractice and intentional infliction of emotional distress, among other complaints.

Among the family members who spoke out was Marissa Vasquez, who said her older brother Michael Vasquez died in a Riverside County jail last year while awaiting trial. Court records show Vasquez was facing charges for resisting arrest, burglary and possession of drug paraphernalia.

“What’s my definition of a jail? A place that killed my brother before he could turn 21,” said Marissa Vasquez, who said she, along with her mother, made the decision not to bail him out.

“We had one belief that he would be safer in there. We hoped he would have access to mental health resources he needed. And this was a decision we regret dearly not bailing him out.”

Six days after his arrest, Vasquez was found dead in his cell. His mother said she was told the cause of death was a fentanyl overdose.

“He was not a killer. He was not evil,” said Kathy Nigro, Vasquez’s mother. “He was my best friend who I can’t see or talk to, or even give him a hug and kiss anymore.”

So far in 2023, the lawsuit claims that six inmates have died inside Riverside County jails. In 2022, the suit claims a record-high 18 inmates died in county jails.

In February this year, state attorney general Rob Bonta announced his own investigation into the Riverside County jail system.

Eyewitness News compiled California Department of Justice statistics from 2005 through 2021. Data shows that during time frame, a total of 120 inmates died in Riverside County jails, an average of 7 inmates each year. Before reporting 18 deaths in 2022 (not included in the DOJ data), the previous high was 12 deaths. That happened twice – once in 2015 and again in 2020 during the pandemic.

By comparison, a total of 148 inmates died in San Bernardino County jails during that time, an average of 8.8 inmate deaths per year.

When Eyewitness News interviewed Sheriff Bianco in August 2022, he acknowledged that the number of inmates who died in his department’s custody that year did seem high. But he said approximately one-third of the inmate deaths up to that point that year were related to fentanyl overdoses.

In response to the most recent federal civil rights lawsuits, Bianco provided a statement to Eyewitness News.

“The theatrics of attorneys do nothing but further victimize families,” said Bianco in the statement. “Their misleading statements for the media do not change the facts of how they died.

“The facts are that our deputies and nurses do all they can to prevent inmates from illegally taking drugs that kill them, committing suicide, or harming other inmates. We will vigorously fight these frivolous suits in court.

“Not one of these inmate deaths has involved deputies.”

Copyright © 2024 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Todd and Julie Chrisley’s attorney is hopeful the couple will have their prison sentences reduced even more after some time was shaved off both of their jail time this week.

“They were able to get some time off for both of them,” lawyer Jay Surgent told People Friday. “There’s going to be the adoption of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, changes, modifications, recommendations for reduction of sentences for nonviolent offenders.

“So [I] don’t know at this point in time, but they should be getting two points a piece for that. So that’ll further reduce their sentences.”

Surgent also said he is working on the “Chrisley Knows Best” alums’ appeals.

Todd and Julie Chrisley’s attorney is hopeful their sentences will be reduced even more.Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

“There’s hope,” he shared. “There’s always hope, but I feel as though they have a strong appeal.”

The attorney’s comments come hours after Todd and Julie’s sentences were each shortened by more than a year, according to federal prison records obtained by Page Six Friday.

The dad of five will now be released from Florida’s Federal Prison Camp Pensacola on Jan. 22, 2033 — which is two years shy of his original 12-year sentence.

Court records previously obtained by Page Six showed the Chrisleys’ prison sentences were each reduced by more than a year.Getty Images

Meanwhile, Julie will be released from Kentucky’s Federal Medical Center Lexington on Oct. 19, 2028, 14 months short of her seven-year sentence.

In January, Todd, 54, and Julie, 50, reported to their respective prisons two months after they were sentenced for fraud and tax evasion.

For more Page Six reality TV update

Prosecutors accused the reality stars of submitting fake documents to banks when applying for loans.

Todd and Julie were sentenced to 12 and seven years, respectively, behind bars.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

The mom of three was also alleged to have submitted false credit reports and bank statements when trying to rent a home in California.

The couple — who tied the knot in 1996 — were found guilty of their crimes in June 2022 and sentenced to a combined 19 years behind bars.

Since their incarceration began, Todd and Julie’s children have spoken out about how life has been for their parents behind bars.

The “Chrisleys Knows Best” alums were found guilty of fraud and tax evasion in June 2022.Getty Images

The pair’s daughter, Savannah Chrisley, recently revealed that her folks hadn’t spoken to each other since they turned themselves in.

“195 days without a word to each other…” the 26-year-old wrote on her Instagram Stories last month alongside throwback pics of her parents. “My heart is breaking…”

Todd and Julie are also parents to sons Chase, 27, and Grayson, 17. The “Growing Up Chrisley” star is also dad to daughter Lindsie, 33, and son Kyle, 32, both of whom he shares with his ex-wife, Teresa Terry.

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