Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Inmate In Pinellas County Jail Dies; Cause Of Death Unclear

Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.
FOX 13
/
The Florida Channel
Leon County Judge John Cooper on June 30, 2022, in a screen grab from The Florida Channel.

An autopsy is being performed on 29-year-old man who died in a Pinellas County jail.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's office said Stephen Gregory James was found unresponsive in his sleeping area Sunday morning.

Medical staff responded and administered CPR but was unsuccessful. They called paramedics, but James was pronounced dead at 7:55 a.m.

Officials say the cause of his death is unclear and that there were no signs of injury. They added that his death didn't follow confrontation or use of force.

Deputies arrested James on Jan. 18 on charges of possession of PVP, an ingredient in the synthetic drugs known as bath salts and flakka, a violation of his probation after other drug charges. He had an arraignment scheduled for Feb. 9.