The family of a man who was brutally beaten while in custody at the Lee County Jail is demanding accountability after the inmate suffered life-threatening injuries in what they describe as a preventable attack.
Brandt Diaz, 39, was assaulted in his jail cell by another inmate identified as Yanko Romero, a murder suspect. According to Fort Myers police, Romero had recently been arrested for the random shooting and killing of a 25-year-old man. Despite the severity of Romero’s charges, authorities placed him in a cell with Diaz — a move Diaz's family says should never have happened.
Court documents and family accounts indicate Diaz sustained devastating injuries, including a shattered nose, broken jaw and cheekbones, missing teeth, and damage to his right eye, which may be lost. He is also expected to undergo multiple facial reconstruction surgeries.
“When I walked into the room, I looked at him and couldn’t hold back my tears,” said Estella Diaz, the victim’s mother. “He is so messed up… His eye is black and swollen, multiple stitches, a big slit where they sewed him back together.”
Graphic photos shared with Gulf Coast News reveal the extent of the attack. Blood is visible on the floor and walls of the jail cell where the beating occurred.
“He can’t talk. He got kicked in the throat,” Estella Diaz said. “His nose, his jaw, his teeth in the back are missing.”
The family has retained attorney Rene Suarez, who confirmed that Diaz’s bond was posted. However, he said that because Diaz was physically unable to sign jail bond paperwork, the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) was unable to release him.
Diaz had been jailed on felony charges related to car theft and robbery, not misdemeanors as previously reported.
“There was a gross injustice,” said Mary Terrazas, Diaz’s aunt. “Sadly, the lack of leadership in the Lee County Sheriff’s Office kept our family in the dark for nearly 48 hours.”
The sheriff's office has not released a new statement regarding the incident. Officials previously said they were within their legal rights to house the two men in the same cell, and claimed increased monitoring and a timely response to the incident. Whether surveillance footage supports that account remains to be seen.
The Diaz family continues to seek justice and is calling for greater accountability from jail officials over what they describe as a catastrophic failure in inmate safety procedures.
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