After Turning Himself In, RivCo Man Dies In Custody 55 Days Later

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — A Riverside County man has died in the custody of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Phillip Lester, 66, of Moreno Valley was pronounced dead Sunday at a local hospital after being admitted days earlier with "various serious illnesses," according to the agency.

An autopsy is being conducted to determine the manner and cause of death.

According to the sheriff's department, at about 6:13 a.m. on May 8, deputies at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga saw Lester walking with difficulty.

"Lester also had trouble breathing and deputies assisted him to an area inside the housing unit to be evaluated by medical personnel," the law enforcement agency reported.

During the evaluation, an ambulance arrived, and Lester was sent to a hospital where he was admitted. On Sunday, he died there.

Lester had turned himself in to authorities on March 17 after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with an assault case, the sheriff's department said. Lester remained in custody until his death.

Lester's death remains under investigation.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.