Latest news with #CharlesFaggart
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Medical records of Duval County Jail inmate who later died show inconsistencies with JSO report
Medical records first obtained by The Tributary are showing a clearer picture of the condition of an inmate who died after an incident in the Duval County Jail. It's been one month since Charles Faggart was taken from the jail to the hospital, where he died from his injuries days later. The incident that happened before Faggart's death led to nine Jacksonville Sheriff's Office employees being removed from their positions and being stripped of their corrections authority. Faggart's medical records were first obtained and reported by The Tributary, which shared the records with Action News Jax. The Tributary is a local 'nonprofit newsroom producing high-impact government accountability and investigative journalism in the public interest,' its website states. RELATED: Inmate who died after an incident inside the Duval Co. Jail laid to rest The records paint a more graphic picture than what JSO unveiled when it released a redacted incident report. According to the medical records, on April 7, Faggart was suffering from cardiac arrest when emergency medical services (EMS) first arrived on the scene at the Duval County Jail. EMS immediately began administering CPR and intubated him. RELATED: Report reveals incident that preceded Duval inmate Charles Faggart's death stretched over 2 hours Faggart was transported to the hospital. When he arrived, the report then states Faggart had taser barbs removed from his back, something that was not listed in JSO's redacted report. The records also state that Faggart did not suffer a seizure and did not have fentanyl in his system. The JSO report said officers witnessed Faggart suffer a seizure and it also says he told them he had taken fentanyl. The medical records also state Faggart had nasal bone fractures, facial fractures, rib fractures, bruising, acute kidney and liver injuries, and he was 'unresponsive.' RELATED: Sources tell Action News Jax what happened in Duval County Jail prior to inmate's death We reached out to JSO on Wednesday for an interview to comment on these findings. The agency declined but did release the following statement: 'The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office understands that certain members of the public would like information about the facts gathered in the investigation into Mr. Charles Faggart's death immediately. JSO has not and will not release details of the gathered evidence nor protected medical records. Releasing information about evidence in this case before the criminal investigation is completed would be contrary to the law and the agency's duty to protect the integrity of the criminal investigation. Likewise, JSO will not comment in any way on what is being purported as evidence, as doing so would hinder the criminal investigation's integrity. 'Sheriff Waters has repeatedly stated that when the criminal investigation is completed, he will share that information with, first, the Faggart family, and then, the public. Thorough death investigations take time and multi-agency coordination. The SAO continues its independent criminal investigation. Likewise, the FBI continues to provide support. JSO's primary responsibility is to complete a comprehensive investigation and provide the Faggart family with the answers concerning their loved one's passing.' Chris Carson is a criminal defense attorney with many years of experience. He said the type of injuries Faggart sustained, according to the report, and the setting he was in when it happened, suggest they were blunt force trauma injuries. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] 'It is suggestive that there was some type of serious potential confrontation that resulted in likely punches, kicks or some other use of force,' Carson said. We asked Carson what, after reading the injuries in the report, he could tell about what could come from JSO's investigation. 'It means that they're going to have to take a hard look at if the force was indeed utilized by an employee of the sheriff's office, there is going to be, and there needs to be an extensive review of whether that force was legitimate force or whether that force went beyond what would be permissible,' Carson said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] We asked Carson if he saw inconsistencies between JSO's redacted report from what the medical report states. 'It's kind of hard to say from the reports, but I suspect a lot of that will be forthcoming as this all goes forward,' Carson said. We reached out to the Faggart family attorney for a statement on Wednesday. As of the publication of this article, they have not gotten back to us. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘Justice for Charles': Jacksonville community members pushing for answers in inmate's death
The demand for answers continues in the police investigation into the death of a Duval County Jail inmate. Protestors gathered outside Jacksonville City Hall on Tuesday and chanted, 'Justice for Charles.' Charles Faggart died after an incident involving corrections officers at the Duval County Jail. 'My son no longer has a voice, so I am his voice,' said Tracey Karpas, Faggart's mother. 'I will not stop fighting until something is done.' Action News Jax showed you the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office report last week, which provides some details of a two-hour-long series of events involving Faggart and multiple sheriff's office employees inside the jail. RELATED: Report reveals incident that preceded Duval inmate Charles Faggart's death stretched over 2 hours That report said Faggart was resisting officers and hurting himself while being taken to a cell. Sources told us he was pepper-sprayed while police restrained Faggart in a chair two separate times. Nine JSO corrections employees named in the report were removed from their positions and stripped of their authority. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Some of Faggart's friends spoke out during public comment at Tuesday's City Council meeting, reiterating the message that they will not stop pushing for transparency. 'They failed to keep him safe, and there must be some accountability for that,' Karen, a friend, said. 'Charles' death is heartbreaking,' Katie, a friend, said. 'I urge you, our council, to follow up accordingly.' [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] The City Council did not comment on the death during Tuesday's meeting. Action News Jax reached out to JSO for an update on the investigation. We were told this is still an active case. Sheriff T.K. Waters previously said JSO policies could change after the investigation. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Yahoo
Jacksonville Sheriff says he's open to policy changes following inmate death investigation
Nearly two weeks after Sheriff TK Waters informed the public of an incident involving an inmate and 9 corrections employees at the Duval County jail, we are hearing from Sheriff TK Waters directly about what, if any, changes to Jacksonville Sheriff's Office policy could come from this. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< On April 7th, Duval County Jail inmate Charles Faggart was sent to the hospital in critical condition, and 9 JSO correction employees were removed from their positions and stripped of their corrections authority. Faggart spent three days on life support before dying from his injuries. Since then, JSO has released a redacted incident report revealing some details of the moments leading up to his injuries and the names of the 9 correction employees involved. Related: Report reveals incident that preceded Duval inmate Charles Faggart's death stretched over 2 hours We asked the Sheriff if he is considering reassessing JSO policy or retraining corrections employees as a result of this incident. He tells me the results of the investigation will determine that. 'We're always looking at policies,' said Sheriff Waters. 'Our directors and our chiefs, they get together, they look over our policies, see what needs to be updated and changed. We'll do that, but we do that after every incident. Whether it's an officer-involved shooting, whether it's any incidents. We always look for improvements and ways to get better.' The sheriff is also promising full transparency on what they find once the investigation is complete. Related: 'He deserved so much more than this': Hundreds protest, demanding justice for Charles Faggart 'I'm going to tell you exactly what happened when we get to the end and the conclusion of it, which is very, very important,' said Sheriff Waters. 'Conclusion, full investigation, all details, all facts before we make decisions on what happens next. So that's what we're waiting for and when that's done, you guys will be getting a notification. I'll bring you guys in. I'll run you through the entire sequence of events.' As for when that investigation could wrap up, the Sheriff says he is unsure as there are a lot of independent agencies also involved. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
FOP President: Jacksonville officers involved in incident before inmate's death will be exonerated
The Fraternal Order of Police Jacksonville issued a statement on Wednesday expressing confidence that nine Duval County Jail corrections officers involved in an incident that left an inmate dead will be cleared of any wrongdoing. The death of Charles Faggart nearly one week ago has raised questions about transparency and the treatment of inmates at jail. An attorney representing his family said Faggart had been brain dead since Monday, April 17, when the incident occurred. Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters demanded justice, including Faggart's mother and the mother of Faggart's five-year-old son. FOP, in its statement, also cautioned 'the public against rushing to judgment based on social media speculation.' [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Here is the full statement from FOP President Randy Reeves: 'The FOP joins Sheriff Waters in his desire to pursue an in-depth, speedy, and comprehensive investigation by federal and local agencies to determine the facts leading up to and including the incident involving our nine Corrections Officers and Mr. Faggart. 'We are confident the investigation, based on facts and evidence, will exonerate the nine officers. JSO Corrections Officers are well trained professionals who dutifully follow established policies and procedures established by federal, state, and local authorities. 'We want to caution the public rushing to judgment based on social media speculation concerning the incident involving Mr. Faggart who was incarcerated at the Duval County Jail. 'We share in the community's anticipation and the revelations of pending reports from the Medical Examiner's office as well as other agencies investigating this incident.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters issued the following statement in response to Reeves' statement: 'When I brought the Charles Faggart death investigation to the public's attention I sought to be forward facing about this agency's search for answers. This was not a rush to judgment on the correction officers' guilt or innocence. This investigation is active and ongoing. FOP President Randy Reeves appropriately asks that this investigation be completed before the public passes' judgment on the officers' actions. Facts, not feelings, shape the contours of criminal investigations and are the foundation of proof in the American criminal justice system. Our detectives are tirelessly working to complete a thorough and comprehensive investigation. I ask for the public's patience as we seek to give the Faggart family the answers it deserves.' Monday, April 7, 2025: An incident happens in the Duval County Jail involving eight corrections officers, one corrections sergeant, and inmate Charles Faggart. The incident leads to Faggart being taken to a local hospital. Tuesday, April 8, 2025: Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters first announced publicly that eight corrections officers and one corrections sergeant are part of the active investigation into an inmate's death and have been stripped of their corrections authority. Wednesday, April 9, 2025: Action News Jax told you when Waters announced that he had asked the FBI to help investigate. Currently, the FBI said there is no open federal investigation. Also on this day, Attorney Belkis Plata identified Faggart as the inmate who was fighting for his life. Thursday, April 10, 2025: Plata reveals that Faggart had died. Read: Statements from Mayor Donna Deegan, Sheriff T.K. Waters, the family's attorney and other local officials on the death of Charles Faggart Friday, April 11, 2025: Two law enforcement sources told Action News Jax what happened in Duval County Jail before Faggart's death. Sunday, April 13, 2025: Hundreds turned out for a march and a rally in front of JSO headquarters in downtown Jacksonville. 'I loved Charles and he deserved so much more than this. And that's all I have to say,' said Caitlyn Benz, the mother of Faggart's six-year-old son Lincoln. Monday, April 14, 2025: JSO releases a redacted incident report of the incident in the Duval County Jail that preceded Faggart's death. JSO also identifies the nine corrections employees under investigation. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
Jacksonville police: Man found shot in Murray Hill dies
Jacksonville police were called to the 2900 block of Ernest Street at about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday in regards to a shooting. Officers arrived to find an adult male suffering from what appeared to be a single gunshot wound, Jacksonville police said. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews took the victim to the hospital where he died, police said. 'At this time, we do not know the circumstances of the incident or the relationships of those involved,' police said in a news release. 'Because of this, the classification of the incident is pending.' The name of the victim was not released. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: Two men arguing over 'something minor' ends with one shot in neck in East Arlington Read: Man dead, woman injured in Jacksonville double shooting Read: Report reveals incident that preceded Duval inmate Charles Faggart's death stretched over 2 hours [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
