BEAUMONT, Texas — The Texas Rangers have charged a female Jefferson County jail inmate in connection with their investigation into the death of another female inmate in the jail over this past weekend.
At about 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning, correctional officers at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility found an unresponsive female inmate, according to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
Although emergency medical care was provided to Shelbi Ervin, 25, they were unable to revive her, according to the release. Ervin was pronounced dead by Jefferson County Precinct One Justice of the Peace Ransom "Duce" Jones. Ervin's immediate family has been notified and an autopsy was ordered by Judge Jones.
The Texas Rangers are investigating Ervin's death.
After several other inmates were interviewed during the initial investigation Rangers determined that a new inmate, Michelle Cormier, 44, had smuggled drugs into the jail inside a body cavity, the release said. Investigators believe the drug was heroin.
Witnesses told investigators that, after ingesting some of the suspected Heroin, Ervin became unresponsive the release said.
Cormier has been charged with criminal negligent homicide.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
