On September 27, 2021, at around 8:00 PM, an adult male inmate at the El Paso County Jail was found unresponsive during a routine welfare check. Deputies and jail medical staff began lifesaving efforts. These efforts were, unfortunately, not effective. Preliminary investigation revealed nothing suspicious surrounding the incident.  

The inmate has been identified as William Johnson, age 36. We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Mr. Johnson's family and friends.

On September 27, 2021, at around 8:00 PM, an adult male inmate at the El Paso County Jail was found unresponsive during a routine welfare check.  Deputies and jail medical staff began lifesaving efforts.  These efforts were, unfortunately, not effective.  Preliminary investigation revealed nothing suspicious surrounding the incident.  

The identity of the inmate and cause of death will be released upon the conclusion of the autopsy and after the next of kin notification by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.  

On August 28, 2021, an adult male inmate detained at the El Paso County Jail was transported by ambulance to a local hospital and later admitted due to a need for continued medical treatment for various ailments.
 
On September 2, 2021 at around 8:42 PM, the inmate passed away while still being treated at the hospital.  
 
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office will conduct a full autopsy to make an official determination as to the cause of death and will notify the next of kin.

On May 9, 2021, at approximately 12:49AM, a medical emergency was declared in a male housing ward at the El Paso County Jail. 

A male was found in his cell unresponsive and not breathing.  Life saving measures were immediately started and continued until AMR and Fire personnel arrived and took over.
 
Life saving measures were unsuccessful and the inmate passed away. At this point there is no indication the death is related to COVID-19.

May 2019 Statistics for Illegal Marijuana Enforcement, Behavioral Health Program and Jail Population

The Sheriff’s Office monthly statistics reflect the ongoing work that is being done to stop the diversion of legal marijuana to the illegal marijuana market, address the mental health needs of the community and reduce the impact the jail population is having on inmate assaults on staff and other inmates.

In the month of April, the Sheriff’s Office Rural Enforcement and Outreach Unit (REO), SWAT and Metro Vice and Narcotics and Intelligence (MVINI) executed a search warrant in one of the largest illegal marijuana cultivations operations in El Paso County.  Investigators seized 758 illegal marijuana plants.

In 2017, Sheriff Bill Elder laid out illegal marijuana enforcement, addressing mental health in the community and reducing the average daily jail population as his top priorities for the next four years of his administration.