Inmate found dead in Sarasota County Jail

An inmate was found dead Thursday night in the Sarasota County Jail, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office.

Brandon Huskey, 33, was found unresponsive in his cell just before midnight. Deputies performed CPR, but were unsuccessful in reviving him, the release said.

Detectives are working with the Medical Examiner’s Office to investigate the death, but based on a preliminary investigation, the release stated it could have been “medical in nature.” The official cause of death will be determined and released later by the Medical Examiner’s Office, but there were no prior reported suspicious circumstances or incidences of violence that may have contributed to his death, the sheriff's office said.

Husked was in custody for a violation of park hours, a county ordinance that went into effect in June. The ordinance allows county staff to set park-specific hours of operation, and prohibit camping unless in designated areas, among other regulations.  

A county spokesperson said "extensive outreach" was done by the Sheriff's Office and Homeless Services and the new hours were posted before the regulations were fully enforced.

Huskey was arrested and booked into the facility on Aug. 3 at 1:47 a.m. and was scheduled for release Aug. 4 at midnight.

County records list Huskey as homeless.