JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A 56-year-old man died hours after being arrested on drug charges during a traffic stop Monday, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
JSO said Tuesday in a news release that on Monday afternoon, its patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Felix Turner in the 1900 block of North Main Street.
The release states that officers observed evidence of "illegal drug activity," as Turner, who was a passenger in the vehicle, was found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance, use, or possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia and possession of an open container of alcoholic beverage in vehicle by passenger.
"He was subsequently taken into custody without incident and transported to the Pre-Trial Detention Facility," the release says. "After arrival, and while seated in the back of the patrol vehicle in the Sally Port awaiting entry, Turner began to suffer from an apparent medical emergency. While JSO employees provided medical care, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department was requested and responded to render further medical aid."
After a short while, Turner was then taken to a "local medical facility" by JFRD, the release mentions, and he was pronounced dead at approximately 6:50 p.m.
"The preliminary investigation has indicated there were no altercations prior to or during the arrest and no use of force utilized by members of the agency," the release states.
JSO says Turner's cause of death is "unknown at this time." The sheriff's office's cold case detectives are actively investigating the death of Turner and the incident, while the Medical Examiner's Office works to complete "an independent investigation to determine the cause of death," according to JSO.
