FROM STAFF REPORTS
The N.C. State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the death of an inmate at the Iredell County Detention Center.
Charles Lamont Stevenson, 42, of Statesville collapsed in a holding cell in the early morning hours of November 28, Sheriff Darren Campbell said on Friday.
Detention officers attempted life-saving measures, including CPR, until Iredell County EMS personnel and Statesville firefighters arrived. Efforts to save Stevenson were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the jail, the sheriff said.
Although the N.C. Medical Examiner’s Office has not released autopsy results, all indicators from a preliminary investigation point to a drug overdose, Campbell said. Stevenson had no obvious physical injuries, he added.
Stevenson was brought to the jail by Statesville police officers and processed about 10:18 p.m. on November 27, Campbell said.
He was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell or deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, five misdemeanor drug offenses, carrying a concealed weapon, and resist or delay an officer. Magistrate Callejas ordered Stevenson held without bond.
Detention officers placed Stevenson in a holding cell by himself around 4 a.m. because he was being aggressive and uncooperative, Campbell said.
While in the cell, Stevenson excreted a baggie, ripped the package open and then ingested the contents, according to the sheriff.
Shortly afterward detention officers found him slumped over in the holding cell. The officers immediately began efforts to revive him, Campbell said, adding that various personnel performed CPR for more than 30 minutes and administered numerous rounds of NARCAN, a treatment that can reverse the effects of opioid overdoses.
“I am very proud of our detention officers, and the Statesville Fire and EMS personnel who responded and risked being exposed themselves while attempting to save Mr. Stevenson,” Campbell said.
The sheriff asked the SBI to investigate, which is standard procedure for the ICSO when an in-custody death occurs.
A preliminary toxicology analysis revealed that the substance Stevenson ingested was nearly 50 percent fentanyl, Campbell said. Ten grams of a suspected illegal substance were also found hidden inside his body during the autopsy, the sheriff added.
Statesville firefighters worked to decontaminate the holding area and all of the personnel who may have come in contact with fentanyl during the incident, the sheriff added.
Stevenson had an extensive criminal record, which includes felony and misdemeanor drug charges, felony first-degree burglary, felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.
Y’all quick to slander someone’s name after they are gone. Bringing up their past like people can’t change. The system is set for failure, especially for our brown skin men.
If officers witnesses him ingest any substance they should immediately had taken him or any inmate to the hospital. Or at bare minimum have them within site. Inmates are left alone call guards for help and get no reply. But…… it clearly states they witnessed this man ingesting something yet FAILED TO TAKE HIM TO HOSPITAL OR PLACE IN IN A VISIBLE PLACE….. HIS PAST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS PASSING.
If it took 30 minutes or more to try and revive him, how long was it before y’all called for help? Make it make sense.
First of all let me say that this article has holes. As u read you see that you first say that the autopsy hasn’t been released then you scroll on and keep reading and you guys say according to the autopsy. Which is it? Is it released or not? And if he was put in a holding cell by himself why weren’t y’all watching him? What does his past have to do with him being the second inmate of color to die in y’all custody? Y’all aren’t really watching the inmates y’all are placing in cells by themselves. It’s sad but always remember that Charles Ray has family and friends, was human, and loved!
Starting to think you go to jail there you not making it out. Scary.
ICDC is supposed to make a round and scan every 15 minutes… I know just last month when I unfortunately had to visit that hell hole 90% of the co’s were jus laughing and cutting up..When I finally made it to the pod after sitting in a holding cell {packed full of females no where to sit but on the nasty floor)from 12:30 pm untill 10:30 pm they dis not come every 15 minutes…they treat their inmates very poorly… I wouldn’t take my worst enemy to that place…the new jail was supposed to make everything better but I’ve not seen it… thank God I only have child support court in that county now and don’t visit as much as I use to… just saying…. ICDC sucks and so do their co’s except 2.
A Grown, 42 year old man, (Convicted Drug Trafficker), makes their own decisions in life. Some decisions are GOOD and some decisions are BAD. This was one of those BAD decisions no matter what race. Too eat drugs from your rectum, A BAD DECISION. Before we start blaming people for other GROWN 42 year old MAN’s BAD DECISIONS lets step all the way back to the beginning and realize what started this chain of events that led to the Defendants death. A BAD DECISION. Also, if You Na-sayers have never worked in a JAIL, try it sometime.
This is so sad. Iredell County Jail is a death trap. The guards withhold necessities like toilet paper. It’s just disgusting. Maybe Sheriff Campbell should have a review of procedures. Of course, he’ll be too busy with something else. This man needs to be voted out next election. He doesn’t care for basic needs to inmates.
By reading most of the comments I am getting the impression that people think going to jail is like summer camp. IT’S PUNISHMENT PEOPLE,NOT A RESORT VACATION! A deterrent! NEWS FLASH, IF THE MAN HADN’T INGESTED THE DOPE, HE WOULDN’T HAVE DIED!! Not ICDC fault.