1 Dead, 7 Hospitalized In Possible Overdose At Men's Central Jail

LOS ANGELES, CA — One inmate died and seven others were taken to hospitals Tuesday from the Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, where paramedics were sent on a report of possible overdoses.

Emergency personnel were sent to the facility in the 400 block of Bauchet Street at 8:40 a.m. Tuesday, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

One man died at the scene, and the other patients were taken to hospitals in unknown condition, according to Stewart, who said the investigation involves an "unknown white powder."

Sheriff's officials said the other inmates -- ranging in age from 18 to a man in his late 60s -- were "conscious and breathing."

The inmate who died was a 32-year-old man, according to the sheriff's department. All of the inmates were in a holding cell at the Inmate Reception Center waiting to be taken to court.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt. Michael Modica, speaking to reporters at an afternoon news conference, said investigators had not yet determined whether drugs were responsible for the death.

"Again we don't make the determination," Modica said. "You're making the assumption narcotics is the cause. That's the job of the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-coroner to determine. So at this point we're not saying that's the cause of the death. ... We're still doing an investigation."

Although narcotics were not identified as the cause of death, sheriff's officials said deputies in the jail "took immediate lifesaving measures, which included the administration of Narcan," which is administered to reverse the effects of an overdose.

The name of the man who died was not immediately released.

Sheriff's officials insisted they take various steps to prevent illicit substances from entering the jails.

"We currently have mail scanners and body scanners that help detect illicit substances on inmates," according to a department statement. "The department conducts regular, random searches, which have been enhanced recently with the addition of custody K-9 teams which help detect narcotics in our custody facilities. The department is optimistic that in the near future we will have the use of updated technological solutions, including additional more advanced body and property scanners, that will further assist us in minimizing illicit substances in the jails."

City News Service