UPDATE (November 3, 2022):
HUNTINGTON CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – Four people have been arrested following an investigation into the death of an inmate at the Huntington County Jail.
In the early hours of October 22, Nicholas Parks, 42, of Bunker Hill was found unresponsive after another inmate alerted jail staff that Parks might be experiencing some sort of medical condition.
According to Indiana State Police, efforts to revive Parks were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead by the Huntington County Coroner.
At the time, Indiana State Police detectives did say that Parks had a history of medical problems.
On Wednesday, Indiana State Police said that three inmates at the jail are now facing drug-related charges for their alleged involvement in Parks’ death.
The investigation also led investigators to obtain a search warrant on October 28 for a home on Garfield Street in Huntington. The warrant led to the arrest of a Huntington man in connection to Parks’ death.
Indiana State Police released the following:
The Indiana State Police began an investigation into the death of an inmate at the Huntington County Jail after Nicholas Parks, 42, of Bunker Hill, IN was found unresponsive around 3:00 a.m. on October 22, 2022.
This investigation has led to additional charges on three inmates currently incarcerated in the Huntington County Jail.
Michael Kelly Jr., 22 of Huntington, IN was arrested for Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony, Aiding in Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony, Trafficking, Level 5 Felony, and Dealing a Narcotic Drug, Level 5 Felony.
Jacob Lee Landon Johnson, 40 of Huntington, IN was arrested for Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony and Aiding in Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony.
Nicholas Ryan Shepperd, 36 of Huntington, IN was arrested for Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony and Aiding in Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony.
This investigation also resulted in a search warrant being served at a residence in the 400 block of Garfield Street in Huntington, IN on October 28, 2022.
This search warrant resulted in the arrest of Duane Barnes, 41 of Huntington, IN for:
Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony
Aiding in Dealing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Level 1 Felony
Possession of a Narcotic Drug With the Intent to Deliver, Level 2 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine With the Intent to Deliver, Level 2 Felony
Possession of Methamphetamine, Level 4 Felony
Dealing in a Narcotic Drug, Level 3 Felony
Aiding in Trafficking With an Inmate, Level 5 Felony
Barnes was taken to the Huntington County Jail.
The Huntington Police Department assisted with this investigation.
The final autopsy report and toxicology results for Parks is still pending.
ORIGINAL STORY:
HUNTINGTON CO., Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana State Police are investigating after an inmate was found dead Saturday morning at the Huntington County Jail.
According to a release from ISP, the initial investigation found that around 3 a.m., another inmate alerted jail staff of a possible medical emergency in one of the cellblocks.
ISP officials say that jail staff found 42-year-old Nicholas Parks, an inmate from Bunker Hill, unresponsive. The release said staff tried to resuscitate Parks until emergency crews arrived.
Parks was pronounced dead at the jail by the Huntington County Coroner.
ISP detectives said there didn’t appear to be any sign of a fight or a struggle. Police said Parks had medical issues in the past.
ISP officials released the following:
The Indiana State Police is investigating an inmate death at the Huntington County Jail. Preliminary information has found that at approximately 3:00am this morning, Huntington County jail staff were alerted by another inmate of a possible medical condition in one of the cellblocks. Jail staff found inmate Nicholas Parks, 42, of Bunker Hill, Indiana, unresponsive. Jail staff immediately attempted medical resuscitation until EMS personnel arrived and took over emergency medical treatment. On scene treatment was unsuccessful. Parks was pronounced dead by the Huntington County Coroner at the jail.
ISP Detectives stated that there did not appear to be any sign of physical altercation or struggle. Parks has had previous medical problems in the past. Toxicology and autopsy results to determine cause/manner of death are pending with the Huntington County Coroner’s Office.
Family notification has been made.
This is an ongoing death investigation. At this time there is no further information to release.