FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT

Major Gary McClain

Office:  870.541.5351 / Cell: 870.329.5638

Email:  gary.mcclain@jeffcoso.org

JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE INVESTIGATING DEATH OF DETAINEE:  Jefferson County, Arkansas - June 5, 2021 - The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Internal Affairs Division (IAD) is currently investigating the death of a detainee.

Dezmen X. McBride, 18, who was arrested on May 21, 2021 for Terroristic Act and was being held at the Jefferson County adult jail, the W.C. "Dub" Brassell Detention Center (DBDC), died at Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) at approximately 12:18 p.m. today.

Detention staff recognized that Mr. McBride was not feeling well after lunch and requested that Emergency Ambulance Service Inc. be dispatched to DBDC.  Ambulance personnel transported Mr. McBride to the hospital where he later died.

The cause of death is not immediately apparent and remains under investigation.  McBride's body will be sent to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory for an autopsy to be performed by the State Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.

The investigation is active and ongoing and more details will be released when they are available.