Former Montgomery County Detention Officer Arrested for Assaulting Inmate at County Jail

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A former Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office detention officer has been arrested after investigators say he assaulted an inmate while working inside the Montgomery County Jail.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office announced that 27-year-old Miguel Cortez-Gonzales, a former employee of the agency, was taken into custody on Aug. 7 and charged with Violation of Civil Rights of a Person in Custody, a third-degree felony.

According to investigators, the charge stems from an incident that occurred on July 24, 2026, while Cortez-Gonzales was working as a detention officer at the county jail.

Authorities allege Cortez-Gonzales assaulted a 25-year-old male inmate during the incident.

The inmate sustained minor injuries, received medical treatment, and is reported to be in good health.

To protect the victim’s privacy, the Sheriff’s Office is not releasing the inmate’s identity.

Internal Investigation Led to Criminal Charge

Sheriff’s officials said an internal investigation was launched immediately after the incident was reported.

Detectives assigned to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit also opened a criminal investigation, which ultimately led to Cortez-Gonzales’ arrest.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Cortez-Gonzales had been employed by the agency for approximately 14 months before his arrest.

“The care and safety of every person in our custody is not only a constitutional responsibility, but one I take personally,” Sheriff Wesley Doolittle said in a statement. “We are committed to transparency, accountability, and maintaining the public’s trust. No one is above the law. This type of behavior is not tolerated, and it will not be accepted within the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.”

The criminal investigation remains active.