Sheriff's Office opens investigation into in-custody death

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office says an investigation is underway into the death of a Patterson man who was arrested early Monday when deputies responded to a disturbance call.

The deceased was identified as Hector Ruiz-Santos, 42, Patterson.

The Sheriff's Office said deputies were called to a home in Patterson about 11:46 p.m. Sunday for a disturbance in progress.

Deputies made contact with Ruiz-Santos and through the investigation, he was arrested at 12:10 a.m. Monday on charges of battery on a police officer, resisting a police officer with force (non-aggravated) and disturbing the peace (violent and tumultuous manner).

Ruiz-Santos was taken into custody, placed in the back seat of the patrol unit and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.

On arrival, Ruiz-Santos was discovered to be unresponsive. CPR was administered, and Acadian was dispatched to the scene. Life-saving efforts were unsuccessful, the Sheriff's Office said.

Further details will be released as they become available, the Sheriff's Office said.

The time and date of the arrest in this case have been corrected.