4th detainee in a month dies at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, at least 3 drug related

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) –On Sunday, another detainee at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center died — becoming the fourth death in the month of July.

According to Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford, 71-year-old Roderick Samuels of Columbia died Sunday morning after being transported by EMS to Prisma Health last Thursday.

In a statement, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott calling the death drug related, saying, “This is another unfortunate incident that involves opioids that we were made aware after the inmate had died. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department will be conducting a full investigation.”

On July 22nd, 25-year-old Marty Brown of Columbia was found dead — with a toxicology report revealing the cause of death as an overdose from pentazocine — a drug known to be as strong of a drug as fentanyl.

And a day later on July 23rd, 54-year-old Lamont Powell of Columbia was confirmed dead from a fentanyl overdose.

That same night, another inmate overdosed but was revived.

“That inmate did not die, he was brought back. So we have not determined at this point what drug he used,” says Lott.

Last week, Lott also gave a warning to detainees during a press conference, saying, “I guess the message is to those inmates at Alvin S. Glenn that the drugs you’re taking there can kill you just as they can on the street.”

Lott was asked if he thought there was a fentanyl crisis at the detention center. He believes one death is too many, saying, “If you know it’s fentanyl you’re stupid, if you’re just taking a drug and hoping it’s something else, that’s stupid too. You’re playing Russian Roulette with your life when you take drugs.”

Fifty-six-year-old Robert Moore of Columbia was also found unresponsive in his cell earlier in July. His cause of death has not yet been made public.