Inmate who snorted medication dies at hospital, Jacksonville police say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Action News Jax is working to learn details about the death of an inmate who died in custody.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office identified the inmate on Tuesday as 43-year-old Joseph Roy Lawson.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

According to investigators, Lawson called police Saturday about people following him, but they learned he was hallucinating.

They say he admitted to snorting some type of medication.

Investigators say he tried to get out of the ambulance and hit a paramedic.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Lawson was facing two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or EMT; and one count of resisting without violence and was absentee booked into the Duval County Jail.

He was taken to the hospital and died Sunday morning.

JSO said the Medical Examiner’s Office is working to review Lawson’s manner of death.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.