Osceola inmate found dead in cell

— An inmate of the Osceola jail whom deputies had caught trying to smuggle drug contraband into the jail Friday morning was later found dead in his cell, authorities said Monday.

Michael Jones, 20, of Osceola, who had been incarcerated at the jail since Dec. 7 on a misdemeanor charge, apparently hanged himself, 2nd Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Scott Ellington said.

Jones was on a work-release program and returned to the jail Friday morning, when deputies said they found contraband on him. His work release was revoked, and Jones faced additional charges, Ellington said.

He was placed in his cell at 12:33 p.m. Friday and found dead at 3:18 p.m. that day. Ellington said Monday that Jones apparently tied a sheet around the top bunk of his bed and hanged himself.

Jones’ body was sent to the state Crime Laboratory for an autopsy, he said.

Northwest Arkansas, Pages 12 on 01/02/2013

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