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BRIGHAM CITY — An inmate at the Box Elder County Jail died on Friday after suffering apparent detox symptoms, sheriff's officials said.
Thomas Jeffery Johnston, 50, of Brigham City, was arrested on Thursday due to outstanding warrants on drug possession charges out of the Box Elder Justice Court, the Box Elder County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
"At the time of booking, jail staff received notification that Mr. Johnston was experiencing detox symptoms, withdrawing from controlled substances. Mr. Johnston was housed in an observation cell for continuous monitoring," sheriff's officials said.
Deputies and jail medical staff treated Johnston for his symptoms, according to the statement. Details of the treatment he received were not released.
But late Friday night, Johnston said he didn't feel well. "He was checked and after a discussion with jail medical he was transported to Brigham City Hospital where he was admitted. At approximately midnight, Mr. Johnston's condition worsened and (he) was pronounced dead a short time later," officials said.
A critical incident team and the Cache County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death.
Court records show Johnston had been charged four times since 2012 with misdemeanor drug possession.
